The government of Myanmar has shortlisted five firms as part of its efforts to appoint a consultant to oversee the liberalisation of the country’s telecoms markets. A total of 64 companies applied for the position, including GTL of India, Huawei of China and Thailand’s Symphony Communications, as well as consultancy firms from Japan, Australia, Germany and the United States, the Myanmar Times reports, but just five have made it to the final selection phase.
Meanwhile, international telcos such as Vimpelcom, Telenor and VNPT are lining up to grab one of two new combined fixed-mobile operating licences that are expected to be offered. The pan-Caribbean cellular operator group Digicel is also in the running, though it favours a partnership with the existing state-owned national operator, Myanmar Post and Telecommunication (MPT), which is also set to receive a new operating concession. A fourth converged licence has been reserved for local operator Yatanarpon Teleport, which is also open to partnerships with foreign telcos.