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'SAMENA Daily' - News

Iraq's telecom regulator extends deadline for fourth mobile licence

Iraq's communications regulator has extended the deadline for companies to express an interest in buying the country's fourth national mobile telecom licence, a posting on its website said.

Earlier this month, the Communications and Media Commission (CMC) revealed it hoped to sell the licence, setting a Nov. 20 deadline for potential bidders for the 15-year licence to state their interest.

This has now been extended to Dec. 10, the statement said without explaining why.

The country's three national mobile operators - Ooredoo's Asiacell , Zain Iraq and Korek - have seen margins and profitability decline as tough domestic competition, higher costs and service interruptions due to Islamic State's territorial gains affected their operations.

As such, a fourth licence will likely be a tough sell, industry sources say.

Last week, the chief executive of Kuwait's Agility , a minority shareholder in Korek, questioned the viability of establishing a fourth operator in Iraq.



Source: http://www.zawya.com/story/Iraqs_telecom_regulator_extends_mobile_licence_deadline-TR20151124nL8N13J0FLX2/#utm_source=zawya&utm_medium=web&utm_content=latest-news&utm_campaign=free-homepage

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