Morocco’s Telecom Regulation Agency (ANRT) will issue an international tender to install a second fixed-line telephone network in the second half of the Holy Month of Ramadan, in early December 2001. The new system is expected to become fully operational by March 2002.
Fifteen Moroccan and foreign firms have already shown interest after the announcement of the program last March, said ANRT. The firms include Alcatel, AVE Phone, CBI, Comptel, Forbes Telecom Africa, France Telecom, Ittissalat al-Maghrib, Meditelecom, Neurones Technologies, P.A Conseils International and Skypoint, according to an ANRT press release.
Chief Executive of the Agency, Mustafa Torab, stated that the tender is the first of a two-phase network expansion plan. The second phase, scheduled for 2007 will also be launched in the form of a tender.
Official statistics reveal that there are currently 4.5 million cellular telephone subscribers in Morocco. In addition, there are 1.7 million fixed-line telephones, and 500,000 Internet users throughout the Kingdom.
Two telecommunication companies presently operate in Morocco ― Maroc Telecom, of which the French Vivendi Group controls 35 percent, and the Meditel Company, which belongs to the Spanish Telefonica Group. In December 2000, Morocco had sold 35 percent of the capital of Maroc-Telecom to French Vivendi group for $ 2.33 billion. — (menareport.com)
© 2001 Mena Report (www.menareport.com)
