The Communications Commission of Kenya has officially tendered the license for a second national telephone operator to compete with Telkom Kenya.

As promised by the Government, the license also included a national cellular license, which effectively kills off non-starting Econet who have been unable to get moving after three years (they will probably sue the Government unsuccessfully, further delaying the license)

The license includes: local voice & data access, national long distance voice & data access, national cellular mobile, international voice gateway, commercial VSAT and internet backbone.

Experienced telecommunication operators who have a proven annual turnover of $150 million and manage over 500,000 subscribers are invited to bid provided they will be 30% partnered with Kenyans. Deadline for applications is June 30 and the license will be awarded in January 2007.