The release of a consultancy report on a second telecommunications fixed-line network operator (SNO) to rival partially-privatised monopoly Telkom has been delayed till next week, the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (Icasa) confirmed on Thursday.
An Icasa spokesperson said that after the public hearings bidders were given additional time until Wednesday to clarify some of the reports and information.
As a result the consultancy report would only be published next week, she said.
The bidders are bidding for a 51% stake in the second operator. The two short- listed bidders for the majority stake are CommuniTel — comprising the MK Military
Veteran’s Association, Telecom Namibia, Gateway Communications and Premier
Contracts Agency — and Two Consortium, which is made up of Swedtel SA, Blue Planet and Telenor Management Partners.
Two Consortium is proposing an investment of R217-million, rising to R456-million over four years, and foreign funding of R67-million, which will rise to R132-million over the four-year period.
CommuniTel says it will commit R1,2-billion initially, with the four investors each putting in R400-million.
The two-year process for a second operator was delayed after two earlier bidders — Gold Leaf and Optis — were disqualified after failing to come up to scratch.
The remaining 49% of the second operator will be held by Transtel-Esi-tel (30%)
and Nexus (19%). – I-Net Bridge