Iraq mobile telecommunications licenses tender process begins (16/3/2006)

The Republic of Iraq Communications and Media Commission (CMC) has announced the commencement of the process to award up to four 15-year national mobile telecommunications licenses.

The CMC characterized the Iraqi market by stating that Iraq’s mobile penetration range of between 15 and 20 percent represents an increase in the number of users of over 300 percent in the past 12 months, and added that Iraq’s national fixed line penetration is approximately four percent.

It is expected that these licenses will begin after the current regional licenses expire on June 30, the CMC
announced.

Interested companies must undergo a prequalification stage and must submit confidentiality agreements to the CMC Financial Advisers. The advisers on this tender to the CMC is PricewaterhouseCoopers.

The deadline for receipt of completed qualification questionnaires by the CMC, with a copy to the advisers, is April 10 at 5:00 p.m. GMT.

After the documents are received, successful applicants will be notified with details and terms of the
competitive tender stage.

Source: Reuters