The government hopes to raise some US$2bn in an auction for a fourth mobile licence by the end of the year, Communications Minister Mohammed Allawi has stated.
He was cited saying that the licence would be split into three parts: 40% belonging to an…
The government hopes to raise some US$2bn in an auction for a fourth mobile licence by the end of the year, Communications Minister Mohammed Allawi has stated.
He was cited saying that the licence would be split into three parts: 40% belonging to an operator, 35% to the public, and 25% to the communications ministry.
The money would go towards rebuilding damaged infrastructure, since the booming telecoms sector is seen as an important growth area, he emphasised. In that sense, a key goal of the ministry would be to boost fixed-line and internet penetration to 25% within five years.
Allawi also said that the country would also invest some US$500 to repair and upgrade infrastructure.
Likely bidders could reportedly include Verizon, MTN, Turkcell, Etisalat, France Telecom and Vodafone.
