The Ethiopian Communications Authority (ECA) has denied reports that bidders for telecoms licences have already been shortlisted. In a statement, it declared that to date, no proposals have been received for the two new telecom licences, and that no prospective bidder has been shortlisted, prequalified or excluded from participating in the bid process. The industry regulator said the request for proposals (RFP) process is ongoing.
This follows remarks made by Safaricom CEO Michael Joseph who told Business Daily that the Kenyan operator had reached a shortlist of six firms that have been cleared to bid for one of two licences due to be offered this year. Joseph said ECA had whittled the list down from twelve that had expressed interest.
Competing firms are required to submit their technical and financial bids by 05 April, compared with the previous deadline of 05 March.
