Magticom says no to 3G tender

Georgian mobile operator Magticom has said it will not take part in the country’s forthcoming 3G licence auction, because it purchased a UMTS licence in the 2100MHz band last August. The NCC earlier this year revealed plans to launch a tender for the concession on 21 April following requests from Magticom’s rival Geocell. It will accept bids for the concession until 6 April, and the starting price will be set at GEL8.5 million (USD4.67 million). The licence will operate in the 1910MHz-1915MHz, the 1920MHz – 1935MHz and the 2110MHz to 2125MHz frequency bands. The Georgian mobile market is currently home to two GSM networks, Geocell and Magticom, and one CDMA, Iberiatel.