Eight international companies including Orascom, Kuwait based MTC, Oger Telecom, SingTel, Moroccan Telecom, and South Africa-based MTN are competing to win Saudi Arabia’s third mobile licence, which is expected to generate $4 billion.

Eight international companies including Orascom, Kuwaitbased MTC, Oger Telecom, SingTel, Moroccan Telecom, and South Africa-based MTN are competing to win Saudi Arabia’s third mobile licence, which is expected to generate $4 billion. According to sources, Orascom and MTC will be the main competitors. Saudi Arabia’s telecom regulator, Communication and Information Technology Commission (CITC), has extended the deadline for submitting applications to February 24. Meanwhile, the last date for submitting applications for fixed line licences is March 10.

Etihad Etisalat, a consortium of companies led by UAE telecom operator Etisalat, intends to compete with international companies for fixed line service licences.