Bulgaria's telecoms watchdog announced it is about to invite tenders for licences for a 3G mobile network and broadband internet.

The winner in the tenders can use the resource either for a GSM network or new generation mobile networks for internet, as well as broadband internet, the Communications Regulation Commission (CRC) explained.

At the end of September Bulgaria's telecoms regulator opened a tender paving the way for a fourth mobile phone license with a starting price at nearly BGN 50 M.

Six companies have submitted applications for the UMTS license, the Communications Regulation Commission said in a statement, but declined to reveal their names.

The regulator was obliged to open the tender after 4G COM company applied for the license in July.

The tender that the watchdog now opens will award a permit for vacant frequencies in the 1800 MHz range, which could be used to establish GSM, UMTS, LTE or WiMAX mobile networks, the statement said.

The tender for broadband internet, whose network will use a 40 MHz band at 3.5 GHz, was invited after Bulgaria Connect company applied for the license.