The Ethiopian government, via its Communications Authority, has extended an invitation to telecom companies to submit their interest for the acquisition of two nationwide full-service telecommunications licenses.

The issuance of the two new licenses, in addition to the existing license held by Ethio Telecom, is part of Ethiopia’s home-grown economic reform agenda to introduce competition into the sector, the Ethiopia Communications Authority disclosed.

“The sector liberalization process is continuing amid the COVID-19 crisis which shows the government’s strong will to fight the pandemic while keeping track of the on-going economic reforms,” the invitation read.

The initial license term will be 15 or more years with the possibility of renewal, according to the statement.

Interested parties are required to meet or exceed specified population and geographic coverage targets as well as commit to reasonable tariffs, universal accessibility, and teledensity targets, it said.

They are also required to submit their expression until June 22, 2020. The licenses will be awarded via a competitive evaluation process.

Source: FBC