Vodafone and China Mobile make Burma mobile bid

Vodafone and China Mobile are now among many other telecoms that have expressed interest

The two biggest telecommunications companies in the world have created a consortium to bid for mobile licences in Burma.

The licence, which is expected to be awarded in June, is to operate a nationwide network for 15 years.

The country has taken steps to reform its economy, but mobile phones remain too expensive for most people.

There is only 10% mobile penetration in Burma, which has a population of more than 60 million, according to Vodafone.

The government has said it wants to boost coverage to 80% by 2016.

That has led to a stream of companies hoping to take advantage of this newly-opened market.

"Myanmar will be an important new market for the global mobile industry," Vodafone and China Mobile said in their statement.

A separate consortium also indicated its interest. Billionaire George Soros' Quantum Strategic Partner has joined forces with Digicel and Serge Pun, a businessman in Burma, to bid for licences as well, they said in a statement.

Other companies bidding for licences include Singapore's SingTel, Qatar Telecom and Norway's Telenor.