The Commission today pre-qualified five consortia to proceed to the next stage for the Second National Operator (SNO) licence. Two of the seven organizations that had expressed interest in the bid for the licence were disqualified for failure to meet the set criteria.

The following are the five consortia pre-qualified to proceed to the next stage:

1. Telenor Group/Telenor Management Partner AS

2. ZTE/CNC/Kensim

3. SaskTel and SaskTel International (SI)

4. T-Systems International GmbH / Detecon International GmbH

5. Pegrume Group Limited/ Telecommunications Consultants India Limited / TATA Infotech Limited/ Premier Contracts Agency LLC

The two that did not qualify to the next stage of the licence bid are, China Netcom Corporation (CNC) Ltd and Alldean Satellite Networks (K) Ltd/Gilat Satellite Networks Ltd.

The evaluation criteria for pre-qualifying was based on the following requirements:

• Submission of at least three (3) copies of pre-qualification packages;

• Evidence that the applicant has had experience in providing telecommunication services and manages at least 500,000 subscribers.

• Evidence that the annual turnover of the consortium is at least USD150 million.

• Network history and 3-year financial records.

The pre-qualified five (5) consortia/firms shall be expected to obtain the SNO Tender Documents from the Commission beginning from 19th January 2004 to move to next stage of presenting their bids for the licence.

Issued by: Sammy Kirui, Director-General