Telenor keen on 3rd telco slot

Telenor Group, a global telecommunications company based in Norway that seeks a wider footprint in Asia, is considering participating in the Philippines’ third telco selection process.

Telenor sees bright prospects in the country, given its large and relatively young population, and the continuous growth in demand for data services, said Shanshil Ahmed Shibly, deputy director for regional operations of Grameenphone, as Telenor is known in Bangladesh.

“Hopefully we can participate here,” he said in an interview last week.

What remains unclear is whether Telenor has a local partner. To participate, the government requires that at least one member of the consortium holds a national telco franchise.

“That is a discussion that is going on,” Shibly said when asked about such requirement.

The Department of Information and Communications Technology, together with the National Telecommunications Commission, issued last week the final terms of reference for the selection of a new major telco player. The rules become effective by Oct. 6, 2018. The deadline for bid submission was set for Nov. 5. —MIGUEL R. CAMUS