Mobinil Delays 3G Decision
2006-08-06 17:15:45 | Viewed 5032 times
The Egyptian Company for Mobile Services (ECMS), which offers services under the brand name MobiNil, has announced that it would need more time to decide whether to apply for a 3G licence.
The National Telecommunication Regulatory Authority (NTRA) had previously stated that the cost of a standard 3G licence for any other operator wishing to upgrade their 2G concession would be equal to 20% of the winning bid for the recently auctioned third mobile licence. Last month the regulator selected a consortium led by Etisalat of the UAE as winner of the combined 2G and 3G operating concession. The winning bid is reportedly worth EGP16.7 billion (USD2.89 billion), almost eight times the minimum offer, putting the cost of a 3G licence upgrade at around USD578 million. On top of licence fees, operators are also required to pay annual royalties to the state. The inflated cost has now forced ECMS to rethink its 3G strategy.
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