Mobile phone networks to be privatised soon (Lebanon)According to local media report, Lebanon’s parliament has approved the new ‘national unity’ cabinet line-up, which is now expected to announce a commitment to privatise the country’s two mobile phone networks. Originally, the privatisation was set for the month of february but suffered delay caused by political deadlock. The sale of controlling stakes in the GSM mobile companies, MIC1 and MIC2, might now be delayed until after parliamentary elections set for May 2009 said Lebanon’s Ministry of Telecommunications.
MIC1 is currently branded Alfa and managed by a joint venture between DeTeCon International, part of the Deutsche Telekom group, and Saudi Arabia’s FAL Holding. MIC2 is currently managed by Kuwait’s Zain Group under the MTC Touch Lebanon banner. It is anticipated that telecoms including Zain, Etisalat, Orascom, Qatar Telecom and Saudi Telecom to take part in the upcoming auction.
