The ISDN is a low cost, advanced and fast way for individuals and businesses to connect to the Internet via digital telephone lines at 64Kbps or 128Kbps.
An ISDN flat rate account costs approximately $409-$450 annually, paid to the ISP, and LE240 paid annually to Telecom Egypt, in addition to the regular local call. Despite the high quality of these services, their relatively high prices have kept the level of accounts still low. It is worth noting that in June 2001, the number of ISDN subscribers reached 3,057 increasing by 6014 percent from 50 subscribers in 1999 and by 144 percent from 1,254 in 2000.
Digital Subscriber Lines (DSL)
DSL is a more advanced technology; different from the ISDN that allows high-speed connections to the Internet over copper telephone wires. The DSL modem divides one phone line into two, so that it can be used simultaneously for a normal phone call and for continuous Internet connection. DSL speeds start at a range of 128Kbps-1Mbps, which is 2-24 times faster than standard 56Kbps dial-up modem.
Currently, DSL services are being implemented in a number of exchanges. The licensed companies for the DSL services will operate by the first quarter of 2002 after the setting of standard pricing for such services by the TRA.
ISPs in Egypt not only offer Internet access, but they also provide services such as intranet/extranet solutions as well as hosting services.
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