The Syrian government is considering offering a 3rd mobile license, and is already in talks with Russian mobile operators to launch a network. The country currently has two networks, locally owned Syriatel and South African owned, MTN Syria.
"They have an idea to add one more mobile operator there. The participation of Russian companies in the Syrian mobile market is possible," Russia's Communications Minister Igor Shchyogolev was reported by Reuters as saying after a session of the Russian-Syrian Intergovernmental Commission.
Russian mobile operator, MTS will consider entering the Syrian market if it receives an offer, MTS spokeswoman Irina Osadchaya said, while Vimplecom confirmed that Syria is a country it has looked at for its ongoing overseas expansion plans. Megafon also confirmed that it would look at any offer put its way.
Figures from the Mobile World analysts note that the country ended the first half of this year with an estimated 7.1 million mobile phone users - representing a population penetration level of around 36%.
Earlier this year, the U.S. Department of the Treasury blacklisted Syriatel after it named Rami Makhluf as an investor in both companies. Makhluf has been subject to US sanctions since early last year under a policy of targeting people the US government accuses of benefiting from, the public corruption of senior officials of the Syrian regime. Any Syriatel assets held in the United States or within the possession or control of U.S. persons are currently blocked, and U.S. citizens are prohibited from engaging in business or transactions with the mobile network operator.
On the web: Reuters - Mobile World
Posted to the site on 24th November 2008
Posted to: www.cellular-news.com/story/34790.php