The Interim Cabinet will decide early next month on the number of new mobile phone operation licenses that will be issued to interested parties who have applied.

Acting Permanent Secretary for Communications, Joe Turaganivalu confirms they have assessed the 15 applications received for licenses and have submitted their final report to the Interim Minister.

Turaganivalu confirms that all the necessary checks on the interested companies have been made and the final decision lies with cabinet on how many licenses will be issued.

He confirms that Interim Minister Taito Waradi will table the report in cabinet on October 9th following which announcements are expected.

The Ministry confirms that those companies who will be issued the licenses will have to have the best roll out plans in terms of coverage and the company which can assure wider coverage range from the start of operations would have a better chance of securing the license.