Business | Telecoms
Oman shortlists six bidders for new fixed-line phone licence
Oman on Friday said it shortlisted six bidders seeking a licence for the Gulf country's second fixed-line telecommunications network, that would break the monopoly of state-run Omantel .
- Agencies
- Published: 23:53 August 29, 2008
Muscat: Oman on Friday said it shortlisted six bidders seeking a licence for the Gulf country's second fixed-line telecommunications network, that would break the monopoly of state-run Omantel .
Oman's Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) said the six firms or consortiums were among 10 that had submitted bids to build and operate a company also offering broadband and marine telecommunications services.
An official of the regulator contacted by Reuters said their names would be announced next month.
Oman, which already has two mobile telephone operators and is also selling a stake in Omantel, is liberalising the telecoms sector as part of efforts to encourage foreign investment as its oil production dries up.
An economy ministry official said earlier this month that Oman was looking for a company that could invest at least $300 million in the first five years of the contract.
The country of about 2.7 million people is offering a package including a 25-year contract to build and operate the second fixed-line service and a similar 15-year contract for broadband internet services. Both contracts are renewable.
The TRA had set August 25 as the deadline for bids, with the licence expected to be awarded around the end of October.
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