Kenya May Delay 3rd GSM License

The planned award of Kenya's third GSM license could be delayed by up to two months. A new plan published by the Communication Commission of Kenya has updated the award date from sometime in October, to no later than the 4th December.

The Kenya Communications Act of 1998 and the Kenya Communications Regulations of 2001 establish a framework for the licensing and regulation of the telecommunications sector in Kenya. The Commission seeks to secure the provision in Kenya of a third GSM network in order to stimulate competition and encourage expansion in the sector.

The bidding process has entered its second phase, with a conference for the five short-listed bidders. The short-listed bidders are Econet Wireless, Mobile Systems International (MSI), Cellular International Holdings, Kenya Telecommunications Investments Group (KTIG), One Cellular and Telsar Solutions/Telecel International. Roma Telecom, the sixth bidder was disqualified due to lack of evidence to support their claim that they were in partnership with Portugal Telecom."

Posted to the site on 26th June 2003