Times Of Swaziland: SCCOM OPENS BIDS, FINDS ALL IN ORDER

SCCOM OPENS BIDS, FINDS ALL IN ORDER
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BY THEMBA ZWANE  on 01/11/2016 08:59:00


MBABANE – South African mobile giants Vodacom and Cell C have shown no
interest in investing in the country’s mobile telephony industry as four
companies showed interest in competing with Swazi MTN and SPTC.
This is illustrated by that, of the four companies that submitted their bids to
the Swaziland Communications Commission (SCCOM), none originated from South
Africa.
The companies included Swazi Mobile, Data Networks, Mauritius Telecom Orange and
Viettel Group from Vietnam.
The fact that these companies are interested in venturing in the country’s
mobile telephony space was made known to the public yesterday when SCCOM opened
the bids submitted by the prospective operators. The opening of the bids is a
preliminary stage of the licence application process.
During the opening of the bids, conducted at SCCOM offices housed at Sibekelo
Building yesterday, Swazi Mobile was represented by Victor Gamedze,
Mauritius Telecom Orange by Jason Ning among others, while Viettel Group from
Vietnam was represented by Nguyen Phuong Thao. The name of the representative of
Data Networks could not be established as he left before the process was
completed.
These companies seek to enter an industry that was previously dominated by MTN
Swaziland which for over a decade, operated under a monopolistic environment.
However, recent developments in the industry have seen the Swaziland Post and
Telecommunications Corporation (SPTC) being awarded the country’s second
mobile telephony services licence.
During the proceedings, Sicelo Simelane, the commisison’s Secretary to the
Board, GM Legal and Compliance Ozzie Thakatha and acting Chief Executive Officer
(CEO) Lindiwe Malaza, administered opening of the bids, starting with the one
submitted by Data Networks.
The second bid was that for Mauritius Telecom Orange followed by Swazi Mobile
and Viettel Group’s bid was the last to be opened.
Representatives of the telecommunications companies were invited to monitor
proceedings.
In addition, an independent auditor from Kobla Quashie Consultants was also
invited to ensure transparency and fairness in opening of the bids.