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Macao Gradually Opens Its Telecom Market
The telecommunication market of Macao, long been monopolized by the Macao Telecom Co., has taken the step of being opened by stages this year.
It has seen enthusiastic response and unexpected passion exhibited by various quarters in the aspect of business license bidding for mobile phone which was first opened up recently. Up to September 1, eight companies from China's inland, Hong Kong, Macao and Singapore had tendered their bids, showing their confidence in the future telecom market of Macao.
According to the person in charge of appraising the tenders, the work of appraisal will be accomplished within this month, by then, at most three business licenses of mobile phone will be issued and the bid-winners will start their service 6-9 months later.
By the end of August, there were 140,000 users of mobile phones in Macao, i.e. every three citizens owned one mobile phone. The personages of two Hong Kong companies participating in the bidding said that a 30 percent penetrating rate means that there is still great market potential for mobile phones and the 8 million tourists to Macao each year is also a good target for the tourist industry.
The responsible person said Macao has taken the first step for its telecom market to introduce competition mechanism. Next, it will open up Internet service, its bidding for the business license will began this October.
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