Pre-Qualified Candidates for VSAT Licenses
The Supreme Council of Information and Communication Technology (ictQATAR) today announced the names of the six candidates who pre-qualified to participate in the application phase for three individual licenses for the provision of Very Small Aperture Terminal (VSAT) networks and services in the State of Qatar. This announcement follows the invitation to pre- qualify that was issued by ictQATAR on 14 October 2009.
The pre-qualified candidates are:
CapRock Communications
Gulfsat Communications
QSAT Communications
RigNet Qatar
Saudi International Telecom & Electronics Company (Skyband)
Schlumberger Overseas
The pre-qualified candidates received the VSAT License Application Procedures document setting out the requirements, procedures, timetable and other terms and conditions for formally applying for one of the three VSAT licenses. A draft copy of the VSAT license was also submitted to the pre-qualified parties for comment. The licenses will authorize the operation of a VSAT network and the provision of VSAT services to closed user groups. The VSAT operators would not be able to provide public telecommunications services to businesses or consumers.
VSAT is a wireless, satellite-based system that can support organizations with dispersed offices and remote sites to have internal telecommunications links (voice and data). It is commonly used by large organizations with multiple and remote locations, such as banks, retail stores and gas and oil companies. It is particularly useful in Qatar for off-shore gas and oil platforms to communicate with on-shore offices.
"We are delighted with the participation of well established and experienced operators in the VSAT licensing process. We look forward to granting licenses to three of these strong candidates to help Qatar address its high demand for VSAT services in some of the country's key industries", said Ahmad Sultan, Licensing Section Manager at the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of ictQATAR.
ictQATAR must receive all applications by 28 March 2010. ictQATAR will then conduct a two-stage selection process:
(1) a commercial and technical evaluation, and, if there are more than 3 qualified candidates after the commercial and technical evaluation, (2) an auction. Only those pre-qualified candidates who meet the eligibility requirements established by the VAP during the commercial and technical evaluation stage can participate in the auction process. This process will lead to the selection of the three successful applicants to be awarded the licenses.
The announcement of the three new licensees is expected to occur sometime in the second quarter of 2010.
For more information, visit: www.ictQATAR.qa
