In line with a strategy identified during the announcement of its annual results, MTN is set to bid for the second cellular licence up for grabs in Saudi Arabia.
Speaking at the annual results announcement, MTN Group CEO Phuthuma Nhleko said the company had identified the Middle East region as the most viable one for growth, since the continent`s major cellular operators already dominated much of the African market.
Together with a consortium of Saudi Arabian partners, known as the MTN Saudi Arabia Consortium, the company has submitted a bid for both the second GSM licence and a 3G licence that will be awarded by the Communications and Information Technology Commission of Saudi Arabia.
Nhleko claims that MTN will focus on the Middle East despite having suffered failure in its attempt to gain a foothold in the market in Iran.
It has been reported that MTN is one of eight consortiums bidding for the licence, which is expected to be awarded by early August.
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