The Romanian telecoms regulator, ANRCTI has named four companies as having submitted bids for a new national mobile license in the 410-415/420-425 MHz bands. The four companies are NetPoint, Romtelecom, Saudi Oger and Tactical Networks. Ten companies had originally indicated an interest in the license.
However, a report in the local Ziarul Financiar newspaper has suggested that three of the bidders would have to be disqualified as they are shareholders in the Romanian mobile market and cannot bid for another license. Citing a report from Romania's Competition Council, the paper said that only Tactical Networks, which is backed by Chinese infrastructure supplier, ZTE and local postal service would be eligible to tender a formal bid.
The winner - if a competitive tender is still possible - will be announced next month following a "beauty contest" evaluation of their rollout plans. The minimum requirements for the coverage of broadband services include: at least 2,500 km national European roads, by 31.12.2013; at least 55% of the country territory by 31.12.2013 and 100 towns with maximum 50,000 inhabitants, by the same date.
The country currently has five mobile operators and according to figures from the Mobile World hold the following market shares as at the end of Q1; Orange (41.7%), Mobifon (37.2%), Cosmote (17.7%), Telemobil (2.1%) and RCS & RDS with 1.3%.
The regulator also recently announced plans to grant two WiMAX operating licenses, using radio frequencies within the 3600-3657 MHz and 3700-3757 MHz ranges. The licence fee was set up by the Government, amounting to the RON equivalent of EUR7.5 million (US$11.9 million). A third WiMAX licence will be granted to the National Radiocommunications Company, Radiocom. The costs of RadiocomÃ's vacating the radio frequencies are to be covered from up to 50% of the licence fee amounts, the remaining 50% being directed, as income, to the state budget.
On the web: Ziarul Financiar - Mobile World - ANRCTI
Posted to the site on 15th August 2008
Posted to: www.cellular-news.com/story/33069.php