NCRC to collect applications for 3G mobile licenses from telecom operators

Last week the National Communication Regulation Commission (NCRC) announced it will start collecting applications from those willing to purchase 3G mobile licenses in the UMTS standard. Six licenses are under consideration for sale: two for the 30 MHz frequency range; two for 15 MHz; one for 10 MHz and one for 5 MHz. Applications are scheduled to be collected between Nov. 24, 2008 and Jan. 8, 2009. The NCRC is planning to arrange an auction to sell the 3G mobile licenses in mid-2009. Alexander Paraschiy: News of the possible sale of the 3G mobile licenses looks negative for Ukrtelecom (UTEL), who is betting on its monopolistic ownership of its UMTS license to develop its mobile customer base. In case GSM operators get UMTS licenses (which looks highly likely in 2009), this would give them a competitive advantage over Ukrtelecom in terms of range of services.