Rwanda's government is moving closer to inviting bids for the country's third mobile network. Speaking at his regular presidential press conference last week, President Paul Kagame said that four companies have already expressed preliminary interest in the license. The four companies were named as Zain, Korea Telecom, Orascom and an unidentified Israel company.

It is expected that the formal tender will be announced within the next three to four months.

Prof. Romain Murenzi, the Minister in the Office of the President in Charge of Science, Technology, Research and ICT also noted that the country is expected to reach five million subscribers by 2012. He originally announced the plans for the 3rd license tender in May.

Figures from the Mobile World note that MTN Rwanda ended Q1 '08 with some 754,000 subscribers - and the country penetration level lingers at just above seven percent.

South Africa based MTN Group recently concluded an agreement to purchase a further interest in MTN Rwanda, increasing its shareholding to 55% from 40%. Recently MTN Rwanda launched seamless roaming services with MTN Uganda, Safaricom in Kenya and Vodacom in Tanzania.

A Libyan company, Lap Green Networks won a tender to buy 80% of Rwanda's Rwandatel after agreeing to pay US$100 million and invest a minimum of US$87 million in the network within one year of completing the transaction. The government's Social Security Fund will retain its 20% stake.

Source:cellular-news