Myanmar delays telecoms licence award
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Myanmar delays telecoms licence award

The government of Myanmar has today announced that it will delay granting two telecommunications service licences to foreign investors.

The decision was made on day two of Myanmar’s Lower House discussions in Nay Pyi Taw, and falls one day ahead of the planned announcement of the winning bidders.

Parliament sources said that permission can only be given once a related telecommunications law is passed, in order to avoid monopoly.

"A lower house lawmaker tabled an important motion suggesting that choosing the two telecoms operators should be postponed till the new telecoms law is enacted," Thein Nyunt, a lawmaker and chairman of the New National Democratic Party, told Reuters.

A total of 11 national and international telecommunications companies have so far bid for the licences and the length of the delay is unconfirmed.

Myanmar Posts and Telecommunications (MPT) and Yatanarpon Teleport Co. will continue to serve as mobile operators for the country until further notice, according to local reports.

Last week, Capacity reported live from Yangon, Myanmar as Orange, which is among the 11 bidders contesting for a licence, revealed its investment plans in the market should it be successful in the auction.

Capacity will be holding its first event dedicated to the Myanmar market on September 10-11, for further information please click here.

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