Telecommunications: Iran says goodbye to Turkcell, welcome to South Africa's MTN

Irancell Consortium has announced that Turkish telecom Turkcell has lost out in its bid to become Iran's second GSM operator. Instead, the consortium will give the priority to South Africa's Mobile Telephone Network (MTN).

Leaving little room for interpretation, an Iranian Defense Ministry official said: "MTN will be absolutely given the priority but we can also talk with other interested parties for the credit and financial aspects of the deal. Turkcell has missed all its opportunities".

He accused Turkcell of "failing to deposit money and give the necessary guarantees," for the project to go ahead.