Iran Offer a Second GSM License

Iran's Ministry of Post, Telegraph and Telephone has started advertising for a tender for the country's second nationwide GSM license. The license will be for 15 years, renewable in 5 year increments. It will be offered in both the GSM900 and GSM1800 bands and will be granted a minimum of 2 years of exclusivity.

The government is also pledging that a comprehensive legal framework will be agreed to ensure that the license winner can interconnect to the incumbent landline operator and mobile network on favourable terms.

There will be a pre-qualification for bidders with a deadline for applications of November 15th. Shortlisted applications will then pass to a second phase, although no date appears to have been set for the completion of the tender and the award of the license.

The move to launch an international tender for a GSM license could have been prompted by the significant investment its neighbour, Iraq is going to enjoy in its own GSM networks. An improved GSM coverage in Iran would lead to large roaming revenues between the two countries.

Applicants should contact Dr. Fardis (+98 (21) 8009865) at the ministry directly for tender documents.

Iran's Post, Telegraph & Telephone Ministry announced in 2001 the original plans for the second national license, and also plans for an independent telecoms regulator. The country currently has one national operator that is approaching its network capacity, although it is expanding the network, and there is also a small network on Kish Island, which is Iran's free trade zone."

Posted to the site on 30th October 2003