Bolivia
Bolivia’s GOB Superintendent of Telecommunications is accepting international bids for a 20-year concessionary contract for providing PCS. Bidding documents must be submitted by 23 September. The service area to be awarded in the contract includes all of Bolivia, although the area of coverage can be determined by the provider. Prequalification rules require that bidders currently operate mobile telecommunications services with at least 250,000 subscribers and have telecommunications earnings of at least 873 million bolivianos (US$150 million). The license will be granted to the highest bidder that meets the qualifying criteria. The GOB estimates the contract to be worth about 40.7 million bolivianos (US$7 million). There are no restrictions on technology. Entel Movis, the former state-owned telecommunications monopoly, and Telecel currently offer cellular service in Bolivia. The frequency being offered for tender is the second of three frequencies set aside by the state for PCS technology.
Brazil
A group led by Global Village Telecom agreed to pay 100,000 reals (US$52,000) for a license to provide fixed-line phone service in southern Brazil. The group, which is held 78 percent by Global Village, 20 percent by Comtech and 2 percent by RSL Communications, will compete with Tele Centro Sul Participacoes in an area with a population of 27 million people, including Brasilia.
Panama
Diginet Americas was granted an operator’s license and spectrum concessions for the capital city of Panama City and Col
