New cellco for Iran?

The Iranian government is considering licensing a third private cellular operator, with the new concession to include the country’s first 3G licence. Taliya News reports that the ICT Ministry is expected to publish details of the tender soon, with next-generation services thought to be a mandatory part of the licence. Foreign investors will be able to own up to 49% of the new operator. The country is currently home to three national operators – state-owned Telecommunications Company of Iran (TCI), and private cellcos Taliya and Irancell – plus two firms with small regional networks – Mobile Telecommunication Company of Esfahan (MTCE) and Telecommunications Kish Company (TKC).