MADRID, Spain-Six groups submitted bids to the Spanish government for four Universal Mobile Telecommunications System licenses in Spain to be awarded in March.
Telefonica Moviles, the country’s largest cellular provider, and Retevision, the third-largest mobile operator in Spain, are said to be the front runners.
Airtel, the country’s second-largest cellular carrier, also is expected to gain a license, but an ongoing battle between British Telecommunications and Vodafone AirTouch plc to gain control of the carrier could hinder its chances.
Germany’s Mannesmann, a consortium led by Deutsche Telekom, and Movi2 also submitted bids.
Deutsche Telekom and Jazztel plc, a data services provider, each hold 35 percent of the consortium, called Movilweb 21, which also includes six Spanish firms.
