Published on 28.09.2020 at 18h21 by APA NewsThe Ethiopian Communication Authority (ECA) on Monday announced a decision to issue licenses to two telecom operators shortly.As part of its home-grown economic reform agenda launched in 2019, Ethiopia in June last year made an official invitation to foreign telecom companies to buy a 40 percent stake in Ethio Telecom, a move that would end a long monopoly in the sector. As well as service providers, the privatisation of Ethio Telecom has attracted a number of telecom infrastructure companies such as Helios Towers, a UK based telecom infrastructure developer. “Bidding documents review for the two licences are nearing completion”, Engineer Balcha Reba, ECA’s director-general said in a recent meeting. Awarding licences for new operators would have a significant benefit to provide efficient services for Ethiopians and ICT companies, it was indicated. As part of the telecom sector reform activities, the Ethiopian government decided to sell 40 percent of its stake in Ethio-telecom to foreign companiesA 5 percent stake will be sold to Ethiopian nationals.

Source: Ethiopian News September 28, 2020 16:41 UTC