Saudi Arabia shortlists PCCW, Verizon for second fixed-line license.(SAUDI ARABIA)

Saudi Arabia has selected groups led by Hong Kong-based PCCW, Verizon Communications, and Bahrain Telecommunications Co. for its second fixed-line telephone license. In March, 10 groups had submitted their applications for obtaining the license that will eventually break the monopoly of state-owned Saudi Telecom Co.

According to the Communication and Information Technology Commission, the kingdom planned to open bids from these three groups on April 21.

Interestingly, bids from big firms like China Telecom, Saudi Arabia-based Etihad Etisalat (Mobily), and South Korea-based KT Corp. were disqualified. Saudi Telecom Co. has a fixed-line user base of over 4 million, having a penetration rate of around 16 percent. Its Internet penetration is just over 3 percent.