Vodafone Egypt, the leading mobile operator in Egypt, faced a partial outage primarily affecting the 4G network, prompting some users to switch to 2G or 3G to restore mobile network access. By switching to 2G or 3G, users can at least maintain the ability to make and receive phone calls. Android users can follow specific steps to switch to 3G, such as accessing “Settings,” selecting “Sim Cards & Mobile Networks,” choosing “Vodafone,” and under “Preferred Network Type,” selecting “Prefer 3G.” For iOS devices, users can navigate to “Settings,” choose “Cellular,” then click “Cellular Data Options,” and ensure that “3G” is checked for both voice and data.
Vodafone Egypt has not provided a detailed explanation regarding the exact cause of the outage, its extent, or the expected timeframe for resolution. It remains unclear whether the service disruption is related to the recent severing of three Red Sea underwater cables, which serve as vital internet and telecommunications links globally and have been affected by Houthi attacks in the waterway.
Attempts by Ahram Online to reach Vodafone Egypt’s customer service were unsuccessful, with a 15-minute wait on hold resulting in no response. The company’s automated answering system only provided minimal information, assuring customers that their technical team was working to resolve the internet issue promptly. Frustrated customers have taken to social media to report their internet problems and express disappointment with the company’s performance.
Vodafone Egypt is jointly owned by South Africa’s Vodacom Group and Telecom Egypt, a state-controlled telecommunications company.
