Namibia to Offer a Second GSM License

The Namibian Communications Commission (NCC) has issued a tender document for bidders for a second GSM license in the country. A preliminary meeting is to be held with interested bidders on July 23rd, according to a statement from the regulator. The tender will close on September 4th 2003, when the evaluation process will begin. No exact date for the award of the license was given though.

The German consulting group, Detecon International has been advising the regulator on how to issue the license and manage the bidding process.

On 23 May 2000, the government directed the NCC to invite tenders from prospective companies with the view to open the cellular market for competition, however arguments about the role of a new super-regulator have delayed the matter. The license was originally due to have been awarded last year.

The winner will compete with the current monopoly provider, MTC which is jointly owned by the government, Swedish consultancy Swedtel and investment firm Swedfund."

Posted to the site on 30th June 2003