Concession winners to be announced despite parliamentary opposition

Despite opposition in parliament, Set Aung, who heads Myanmar’s Telecommunications Operator Tender Evaluation and Selection Committee (TOTSC), has told Reuters that the winners of two operating concessions will be announced today (27 June 2013). The announcement looked set to be delayed after the country’s lower house of parliament voted to postpone the awarding of the concessions until the enactment of a new telecoms law. However, Set Aung stated: ‘We are ready to announce the final winners sometime today, according to the original schedule. We don’t have any reason to postpone it. Parliament can’t stop it at this point.’ After the announcement is made, the government says it will finalise the 15-year concessions by September and the winners will need to launch services within nine months. After five years operators are required to provide voice services to 75% of the country, and data services across 50%.

Source : www.telegeography.com