The UK government has complained towards the Egyptian authority concerned about supposed abuse of cellular phone networks in the country.

The intervention of British government is highlighted an escalating argument between the authorities of Cairo and Vodafone and France Telecom, which are going through the potential of reputational damage right after receiving pro government text communication on their mobile networks in Egypt.

The threat for other huge organizations with investments in Africa along with the Middle East was highlighted by Lafarge, the deeply indebted French cement producer, which can lose its investment-grade credit score ranking with Standard & Poor’s once suspending construction in Egypt.

Vodafone and France Telecom launched mobile telephone business in Egypt in 1998, because they turned to emerging markets for growth due to slowing sales in Europe. Both firms are privately aware they might be seen as favoring Hosni Mubarak, Egypt’s president, following transmitting government-inspired texts for their Egyptian mobile customers. Some texts on Vodafone’s network appear to advise Mr. Mubarak’s followers to tackle the anti-government protesters.

Vodafone and France Telecom want to minimize the risk of reputational harm by going public using their fears, while at the same time trying to ensure the safety of Egyptian employees. Both firms felt they'd to adhere to required by the Egyptian authorities to hold the government enthused texts, however Vodafone described the problem as “unacceptable”.

France Telecom states that it “strongly disapproves any message of political nature that will be from the impartiality principle that defines the role as a network provider”. It added that its Egyptian business had only transmitted texts from the Egyptian army about “national security and general safety”. UK foreign minister Alistair Burt, complains to the Egyptian ambassador working in London on Thursday following a request by Vodafone.