While the date for the tender about the privatization of Turkish Telecom which had been announced to be on 31 May 2005 approaches, in accordance with the demands from those firms that qualified to enter the tender, adjournment of the tender date had come to order.
The topic had been known for 2 weeks and it had now been raised in agenda. It is reported that 5 firms that demanded this, had problems in 2 subjects and so they requested adjournment.
The first concern of the companies is the “AVEA” subject that arose when Telefonica withdrew. About the mobile operator that was constituted as 40% Turkish Telecom, 20% Is Bank and 40% TIM partnership, it is said that adequate information had not been provided in the information room and that some points were unclear.
The second subject is the “Electronic Bill” that is pending in the Council of Ministers. Those firms that are going to bid for the privatization are waiting to have the bill approved as soon as possible so that they will be able to see the environment that awaits them.
It is said that the uncertainties that arise because of these two subjects are being evaluated under “topics that need to be solved” by the firms.
13 firms had qualified to enter the tender for Turkish Telecom and two of them had announced that they had withdrawn from the tender. After Belgium Belgacom and Spanish Telefonica, MAPA – one of the MNG companies – and Malaysian Multi Global Link companies are not expected to participate in the tender because they had not entered in the information rooms. Meanwhile it is reported that SK Telecom, which is a South Korean company, is not expected to enter the tender.
It is said that Turkish Telecom tender commission had started talks in order to postpone the deadline to bid.
The following companies are expected to participate in the tender for the privatization of Turkish Telecom:
– Dogan Sirketler Grubu Holding A.S,
– Emirates Telecommunications
– Corporation (Etisalat)/Cetel Calik Enerji Sanayi ve Ticaret A.S./Dubai Islamic Bank Joint Venture,
– Koc Holding A.S.
– Ordu Yardımlasma Kurumu (OYAK),
– Saudi Oger Telecom
– Telecom Italia,
– Turkish Privatization Investors, Turktell Bilisim Servisleri A.S. leaded 14 members Joint Venture Group.
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