Orange Jordan awarded country’s 3G licence

Users of Orange in Jordan will soon be able to access high speed 3G networks. (AFP/Getty Images)

Orange is set to launch the first 3G network in Jordan, after the operator fought off competition from rival operator Zain to land a licence to build a high speed mobile network in the country.

Zain Jordan and Orange were the only operators to submit a bid for the licence, but it is thought that Zain’s offer did not comply with the rules laid out in the tender document, leading to the licence being awarded to Orange in exchange for a payment of JD50 million (US$70 million).

The process of rolling out 3G networks in Jordan has been a drawn out affair, with Orange’s last offer, made in June this year, turned down by the telecommunications regulatory commission (TRC) on the grounds that it did not meet the conditions laid out in the tender document, despite the fact Orange was the only operator to submit an offer.

CommsMEA understands that some of the conditions that were not met by Orange during the last tender process have been altered or removed by the TRC, including the scrapping of a JD10 million security bond and the partial removal of duties that will have to be paid on 3G infrastructure equipment.

The exclusivity period of ten months has also been extended, and Orange Jordan will have six months to launch its 3G network, at which point a one year period of exclusivity will begin.

Print | Email | Discuss this article

| Share |

READERS' COMMENTS

Click here to post a comment

Add your Comment All posts are sent to the administrator for review and are published only after approval. ArabianBusiness.com reserves the right to remove any comment at any time for any reason. Please keep your responses appropriate and on topic. Arabian Business would like to point out that only comments relevant to the story will be published. Any containing personal insults or inappropriate language will not be approved.
Name *
Remember me on this computer
Email *	(Your email address will not be published)
City
Country
Subject *
Comment *
Notify me of further comments
Enter the words above *
Please click post only once - your comment will not be published immediately.

MORE FROM ARABIANBUSINESS.COM