STC joins Kuwaiti bidders

Saudi Telecom Company (STC) has joined the growing list of firms interests in bidding for Kuwait’s third mobile licence. 26% of the new cellco is being offered by the Kuwaiti government; another 50% will be offered to the public, while the government will retain a 24% interest. Bids are due by 7 September, with at least 15 companies reported to be interested, including UAE-based Etisalat, Orascom of Egypt and Batelco of Bahrain. The new cellco will join MTC-Vodafone Kuwait and Wataniya in a market which is currently home to more than 2.5 million subscribers.