Afghanistan launches international competitive tender for 3G mobile license in 2100 MHz Band

To mark the occasion, a press conference was held in the Government Media & Information Center (GMIC) with the participation of H.E. Eng. Amirzai Sangin Minister of Communications and IT of I.R of Afghanistan, Deputy Ministers and board of directors of (MCIT) foreign officialsthe media representative to launch a major new initiative for SY 1390 (2011-12).
Eng Amirzai Sangin Minister of (MCIT) said: The growth and vitality of the telecommunications sector in Afghanistan is one of the most remarkable success stories of the recent past. Since 1382 (2003-2004), when the first two licenses were issued for GSM mobile services, mobile telephone subscribers have increased from zero to 17 million subscribers. More than 1.6 billion US$ has been invested in modern infrastructure, services now reaching over 80% of the population and sustaining over 100,000 jobs nationwide.
Mr.sangin added Afghanistan will now award one additional license, for the provision of the next generation of mobile services (3G in the 2100 MHz band), which will make it possible to have broadband access to the Internet and multimedia services, such as video streaming. Each of Afghanistan’s existing mobile licensees will be able to upgrade their licenses by matching the winning bid in the 3G auction.
The 3G tender package will be available to all interested parties on 1 August 2011 at noon from the Afghanistan Telecom Regulatory Authority (ATRA),located on the 10th floor of the Ministry tower in kabul ,There will a 500,000 Afghani non-refundable fee for the documentation and registration . The deadline for the submission of bids will be 1 October 2011 and it is expetected that the final announcement and award will be 1 November 2011.

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