| The Papua New Guinea Post-Courier website claims that Pacific Mobile Communication's mobile monopoly will end in 2007. Plans are currently in the works to license two new mobile operators. The end of the monopoly will also likely mean price reductions for subscribers and mobile service extended to currently unserved areas.
The Independent Consumer and Competition Commission (ICCC) says it is preparing tender documents to be issued in March to foreign mobile operators, who will also be invited to submit tenders to acquire one of the two new mobile licenses. Commissioner Thomas Abed said the new carriers would be required to rollout their networks to all large and medium sized towns as well as to a large number of smaller population centres throughout the country.
"It is hoped that the new networks will be operational initially with limited coverage but which will quickly be expanded from the time the license are granted in March next year or very shortly thereafter,“ Mr. Abed said.
He added, "This assessment will be made by the ICCC against a selection criteria which will be set out in the tender documents to ensure the selection process is totally fair and as transparent as possible."
Source: BBC - WDR/Intelecon Regulatory News |