TCI privatisation expected this summer

The part-privatisation of Iran’s monopoly fixed line operator, Telecommunications Company of Iran (TCI), is expected within the next few months. Taliya News reports that existing customers will be offered TCI shares in return for the deposits they paid to have their connection installed, while another tranche will be offered via a public sale. The transaction will leave the government with a 49% interest in TCI, which offers wireline services via regional operators and is also the sole shareholder in the country’s largest cellular provider, MCI.