The Myanmar government has finally awarded nationwide telecom licenses to Telenor and Ooredoo, seven months after the two companies won the tender to build mobile networks in the nation.
Myanmar lawmakers have after a long delay settled on a regulatory framework for the newly liberalized telecom sector, clearing the path for Telenor and Ooredoo to roll out services in the nation.
In a statement, Telenor Asia head Sigve Brekke said the license terms are “a product of an extensive consultation process with the Government of Myanmar and international organisations.
“It now represents an acceptable framework that we believe will go a long way to provide the necessary long-term predictability that Telenor requires when it formally starts operations in Myanmar.”
Both licenses include mobile spectrum in both the 900-MHz and 2100-MHz bands, and are valid for 15 years.
The licenses were awarded late last week, and formally come into effect tomorrow. After this time, the clock will start on the two operators' rollout commitments.
Telenor has pledged to achieve geographic coverage of 83% of the nation for voice and 78% for data within five years of the license taking effect. Ooredoo has meanwhile committed to delivering geographic coverage of 84% for both voice and data after five years.