Nokia wins with Irancell?

Alcatel and Ericsson have reportedly withdrawn from discussions aimed at finding an equipment supplier for Iran’s second national mobile network. The pair had been involved with the Irancell consortium, which is backed by South African telco MTN along with a number of investors. Local newspaper Iran Daily reports that the network contract has gone to Nokia and its Iranian partner Takfam Company, although the Finnish vendor has not confirmed this. The report says Ericsson withdrew from negotiations due to what it regarded as overly high import tariffs.