The Moroccan regulator ANRT has initiated the process of auctioning 4G licences, confirming that it will accept bids from operators until August 23. This will allow LTE networks to go live before the end of 2013.
The Telecommunications Regulatory National Agency (ANRT) is currently looking for an advisor to aid it with running the auction process. The regulator still needs to finalise terms and conditions, as well as ascertain how many licences will be auctioned.
Regulatory officials have previously confirmed that they aim to have issued the licences by early 2013, but do not expect services to be available any earlier than the end of that year.
Morocco’s market is now at 110% penetration, so the deployment of 4G networks could provide some relief. Market leader Maroc Telecom, owned by Vivendi, is trying to shed at least 11% of its 13,700-strong workforce in order to boost margins. It has a 47% market share with 17.2 million connections.
In second place is Medi Telecom, a France Telecom affiliate that has 31% of the market, while third place is taken by Inwi with 22%.
