The companies are said to be Singapore’s Singtel, Hong Kong’s 1Com, China’s Xinwei, Vietnam’s Viettel, China Telecom, South Africa’s MTN and Free from France, according to industry sources of The Myanmar Times.
“We are looking for a company that can fulfill the remaining objectives of the current government in terms of telecoms reform,” said U Zaw Oo, an advisor to the president. Through the fourth mobile licence, the government aims to provide affordable access, universal coverage and value-added services, he added.
“We are hoping the fourth operator may be able to emphasise their operations in rural areas so that benefits of the telecoms reforms can also reach there and we can narrow the digital divide,” he told The Myanmar Times.
The winner of the tender process will join a local consortium which consists of 11 local companies and state-owned Yatanarpon Teleport (YTP) to form a joint venture named Myanmar National Telecom.
