Iraqi mobile operators Zain and Asiacell have received more favourable terms for paying their government licence fees, in exchange for a pledge to improve services. The government will monitor their services for a year, and if they meet the service standards, they can pay the balance of the fees due over five years. Otherwise the fees will be due all at once, a government spokesman told AFP. The licences cost USD 1.25 billion, and Zain and Asiacell have each paid USD 625 million already. An official committee reviewed both companies and found that their services had deteriorated, a government statement said, citing poor voice quality and limited network coverage. Callers also complained of needing to dial a number more than once to get through. Last year the government slapped fines totalling more than USD 20 million dollars on Zain, Asiacell and the third operator Korek for poor service and for not honouring contracts.
