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Iraq Mobile Telecommunications Conference
21-22 July 2005
London, UK |
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Iraq Mobile Conference Outlines Business Requirements for Telecoms Companies
The cream of the international telecommunications industry gathered in London last week at the first Iraq Mobile Telecommunications Conference, organised by the Iraq National Communications & Media Commission (NCMC) in joint venture with the Iraq Development Program and with the support of the Iraqi Ministry of Communications. |
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The conference, organised in order to generate investment into the Iraqi telecommunications sector by opening it up to competition, was invaluable for any company looking to operate within the telecommunications sector in Iraq, providing vital information on the commission’s plans to issue new licenses in December following the expiry of the three existing licenses, owned by Iraqna Orascom, Atheer Telecom and AsiaCell.
The three companies have been in possession of the two-year contracts – issued by the Coalition Provisional Authority in 2003 – and have invested around £170 million in expanding their networks. |
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“We are here to emphasise our commitment to Iraq, both on the ground where conditions remain very challenging and in meetings such as this one in London,” said Ali Al Dahwi, Chief Executive of Atheer Telecom, which operates predominantly in the southern region of Iraq.
Welcoming senior industry officials including Iraqi Minister of Communications H.E. Dr Jowan Masum and NCMC Chief Executive Dr Siyamend Othman, the conference featured key remarks from all of the principal players in the telecommunications sector, including NCMC commissioners, IDP representatives, the incumbent operators, companies such as Marconi, Motorola, Huawei, Nortel and Eriksson, along with industry insight from consultants such as PricewaterhouseCoopers and Mailander & Company.
The conference saw the disclosure of the timeframe for the license tendering process, with bids set to be submitted in time for evaluation in November with confirmation of license holders expected in December. A consultation paper was issued to all delegates, outlining details of the tendering process as they registered for the conference. Alongside the presentations by the many speakers, delegates had the opportunity to pose questions for the NCMC, resulting in much spirited debate. |
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At a news conference, NCMC Chief Executive Dr Siyamend Othman told reporters that the licenses would last for 15 years, with a possible extension of five years. He expressed hope that discussions could be concluded as early as September, but that nothing was set in stone.
When asked how many licenses were likely to be awarded, Dr Othman said: “Logic says two-five licenses”. He added that the final number would depend on whether Iraq wanted to focus on raising proceeds or ensuring as much competition as possible. On the issue of increasing investment into the sector, he said that the aim was to generate as much as possible, though he stressed the need to ensure a transparent auction process and level playing field. |
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Dr Othman added that several European telecoms operators had also expressed an interest in obtaining the licenses, which are expected to continue to offer wireless GSM-based technology, widely used in the Middle East region. Mobile phone network operators, which say that they have sunk about $300 million each into their regional networks over the last two years, will be able to negotiate a separate sale of their infrastructures under the planned new license rules. |
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| Presentations
NCMC
Dr Siyamend Othman, CEO
Opportunities and Challenges of Running a Mobile Telephone Operation in Iraq - The View from the Incumbent Operators
Orascom Telecom Iraq
Mr Alain Saint Marie, CEO
Atheer Telecom
Mr Ali Al-Dahwi, CEO
AsiaCell
Mr Humam Abuammara, CEO
Technological Solutions & Options for Iraq's Wireless Telecommunications Sector
Nortel
Marconi
Motorola
Ericsson
Huawei
Iraqi Mobile License Consultation Paper
Dr Siyamned Othman, CEO
Dr Faris Al-Salihi, Acting Deputy CEO
Mobile License Process: Applying Internationally Recognised Standards to the Bidder Selection Process to Ensure Transparency
PriceWaterhouseCoopers
Mr Robert Paterson, Partner, Corporate Finance and Recovery
Future Plans for Licensing the Telecommunications Sector in Iraq: The Upcoming WLL Tender
Mailander & Company
Mr Christopher Mailander |
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| Media Coverage |
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