TUNIS, Tunisia-Tunisia is expected to issue an international tender for a nationwide cellular network using Global System for Mobile communications technology.
In 1985, L.M. Ericsson built a Nordic Mobile Telephone system there.
More recently, Northern Telecom Inc. has constructed a GSM system in the capital city of Tunis. It operates at 900 MHz and is used primarily by high-ranking government leaders.
The wireless network was only part of the $40 million contract Nortel has with Tunisia, which includes landline switching. Nortel is expected to participate in the tender process.
Telecommunications in Tunisia is controlled by the state, which is a presidential republic. The country is located on the northern coast of Africa, between Libya and Algeria, with a population of 8.5 million people.
The nation has a developing economy and, because it is the site of ancient Carthage, attracts about 4 million tourists a year.
