CAIRO (AFP) – The telecommunications regulator is asking Egyptian news services to obtain a licence before sending news alerts in cellphone text messages, newspapers reported on Tuesday.

The National Telecommunication Regulatory Authority (NTRA) told companies which provide such services that they must first have authorisation from the press council and information ministry to send SMSs, according to the reports.

Al-Shorouk newspaper quoted a company manager as saying the regulator had “asked us to get these permits as soon as possible.”

NTRA representatives could not be reached for immediate comment.