Tunisia to select new telecoms operators in June

The government of Tunisia plans to announce the winner of fixed line and mobile service licences in June 2009 in a bid to end the monopoly of state-controlled Tunisie Telecom (TT) and to attract foreign investment into the fast-growing domestic telecoms market, The Associated Press reports. ‘The results of the international tenders concerning the installation and the use of a third-generation mobile and fixed telephone network (internet and other services) will be announced as of June 2009,’ it reported. It is understood no fewer than 13 groups – drawn from European and the Middle East – are keen on becoming the third telecoms operator in the North African country. The new licences includes the rights to offer voice and data services, including enhanced broadband internet access and is designed to promote competitiveness and reduce end-user costs.