afrol News, 23 August - Senegalese government has invited tender for a third mobile operator in the country, in addition to the two mobile operators - Orange and Tigo.

A successful bidder will be given the rights to launch the second private mobile service provider after Tigo.

Besides, the bid winner will enjoy the rights to provide fixed line and internet access services head-to-head with the France telecom-backed de facto The concession will also give the winner rights to provide fixed line and internet access services head-to-head with France Telecom-backed existing monopoly Sonatel.

The regulator of Senegalese telecoms, Agence de Regulation des Telecoms et Postes (ARTP), has set 31 August 2007 as the deadline for offers. The bidding process might take a second round in case more than one bidder has been received.

Over the years, Senegalese mobile market has recorded sharp increase. In March 2007, the number of mobile users in Senegal was estimated at over 3.37 million, compared to 1.94 and 1.73 millions in 1996 and 1995, respectively.

In December 2006, the total number of residential and business provided by Sonatel reached 282,573.

Orange, a subsidiary of the national telecommunications company, has the highest number of mobile subscribers in the country. Until last year when it jointly adopted Orange with the Sonatel department in Mali, the national mobile service provider had been using trading its products in the name of Alizé.

Orange is lent from Sonatel’s main shareholder, France Télécom, the Director General of Sonatel, Cheikh Tidiane Mbaye,

Meanwhile, with effect from 7 October this year, all telephone lines in Senegal will be added by two digits. Telecommunication officials said 33, 77 and 76 will be added to fix, Orange and Tigo lines, respectively.

By staff writer

© afrol News

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