One More Thing:Having conquered the Caribbean mobile phone market and set up camp in the Pacific region and central America, Digicel now has an eye on the Middle East.
Denis O'Brien's mobile company is one of 12 groups that have "pre-qualified" for Qatar's second mobile phone licence.
Applications are due to be lodged by September 2nd. The local regulator, ictQatar, says it will then conduct a commercial and technical evaluation followed by an auction. The winner is due to be announced in October, with the launch of the new service pencilled in for some time in 2008.
Digicel faces stiff competition. Other shortlisted bidders include Vodafone, AT&T and groups led by Belgacom and Verizon.
Qatar might be a small state but its oil and gas reserves, as well as its expanding population and labour force, make it highly attractive to mobile phone companies.
Qatar's telecoms market has until now been a monopoly controlled by Qatar Telecom, which last year achieved turnover of $1.1 billion (€811 million). Mobile revenues accounted for $720 million of that figure and have grown by 42 per cent per annum for the past five years. It is the fastest- growing segment of the market there. Mobile penetration is 110 per cent and 80 per cent of the business is prepaid. The state also boasts a young population, with 22 per cent under the age of 15. The market seems ripe for picking by any new entrant.
O'Brien has deep pockets, which is just as well. Reports from the Gulf suggest the licence could cost up to $500 million to secure.
