After almost two-years of delay, the Algerian regulator has launched a tender for the award of three 3G licences.
In a short notice, the Autorite de Regulation de la Poste et des Telecommunications said that interested parties have until 15 August to…
After almost two-years of delay, the Algerian regulator has launched a tender for the award of three 3G licences.
In a short notice, the Autorite de Regulation de la Poste et des Telecommunications said that interested parties have until 15 August to collect their application file against a AD1m (US$12,500) fee.
The auction is open to existing mobile operators in the country, which are Orascom’s Djezzy, state-owned Mobilis and Ooredoo’s Nedjma.
No further details were disclosed, either about the auction date or the licences price.
But Algeria’s minister of posts, IT and communications Moussa Benhamadi was quoted saying earlier this month that 3G services could be available to customers as early as December 2013.
A first 3G auction was put on ice in September 2011 after operators reportedly asked for more time to submit their application. More than a year later, in December 2012, the Algerian government once again postponed the tender in order to complete the acquisition of Djezzy first.
Two years ago, VimpelCom acquired a majority stake in Orascom Telecom Holdings (OTH), which in turn controls almost 97% of Djezzy.
However, before the takeover was completed, Algeria announced plans to nationalise the Algerian operator following a dispute over taxes and fines with OTH.
The Russian company said in 2012 that it would sell its stake to Algeria, subject to an agreement on price. But negotiations have since hit a stumbling block.