Vodafone’s bid less than GBP300 million, says paper

Vodafone Group’s winning bid for Qatar’s second mobile operator licence was less than GBP300 million (USD612 million), reports the Gulf Times quoting an ‘industry source’. It is unclear if this represents the full price for the licence or just Vodafone’s share, as the UK group won the concession as part of a consortium with local non-profit organisation Qatar Foundation. Also unclear is the size of the stake that Vodafone will take in the Qatari business. Before its planned launch next year, the new venture will list a 40% stake in an IPO and is also required to sell a 15% stake to the Qatari government.