Among the potential prequalifiers are Austria Telekom, Emirates Telecommunications Corporation, Kuwait's Mobile Telecommunications Company, France's Orange, Egypt's Orascom Telecom, Saudi Oger, Germany's T-Mobile, Spain's Telefonicaand Vodafoneof the UK. Operators were required to submit a second proposal for an associated third-generation (3G) licence. A total of 29 local and international companies - mobile telephony operators as well as equipment suppliers - responded to CITC's public notice in late 2003.

The terms of the request for qualifications (RFQ) called for cellular operators to team up with at least five local companies and to take at least a 15 per cent equity stake in the consortium. International bidders must be listed on their national stock exchange. The GSM licence will run for 15 years (MEED 23:1:04).

EFG-Hermes, Goldman Sachs and Riyad Bankare CITC's financial advisers. Allen & Overyand The Allianceare legal advisers, while UK-based Intercai Mondialeis acting as technical adviser.

www.meed.com/telecomsit