Morocco has started the process to award 4G licences and is targeting for the first next-generation networks to go live in the North African country by the end of next year.
According to a Reuters report, Morocco’s Telecommunications Regulatory National Agency (ANRT) has set a 23 August deadline for the submission of bids. This week it launched a tender to select an advisor to oversee the process, which will set terms and conditions, and decide how many licences will be up for grabs.
ANRT officials told Reuters in May that it planned to award the licences at the start of 2013 and expects they will be operational by the end of that year at the earliest.
According to the latest Wireless Intelligence data, the Moroccan market is currently led by Vivendi’s Maroc Telecom, which had 17.2 million connections in Q1, giving it a dominant 47 market share. It is followed by France Telecom affiliate Medi Telecom (31 percent) and Inwi (22 percent), which is partly owned by Kuwait’s Zain.
It is hoped that the ability to rollout 4G networks will relieve some pressure in a market that is rapidly approaching maturity. Penetration is currently at over 110 percent, forcing some operators into cost cutting.
via Morocco sets out 4G timetable, Articles | Mobile Business Briefing.
