The Coalition Provisional Authority (CPA) has postponed the award of three regional telecommunications network licences to 12 September from 5 September. Sources at the CPA said the move was prompted by the large number of applicants for the three licences, which cover mobile services in the central, northern and southern regions.

At least six regional companies are understood to have expressed interest in the licences. They are Orascom Telecom, Mobile Telecommunications Company (MTC), National Mobile Telecommunications Company (Wataniya Mobile), Bahrain Telecommunications Company (Batelco), Jordan Telecomand Turkcell (MEED 29:8:03; 23:5:03).