Mozambique has launched an international tender for the third mobile network operator and set July 6 as the deadline for submissions of proposals.

Transport and Communications Minister Paulo Zucula says the winner could begin operating within 30 days, and will have to pay $25 million to acquire a 15 year mobile telephone network license.

Mozambique has 6 million mobile phone clients.

A third operator is expected to provide a wider coverage and improvement in quality of service and competitive prices.

Currently Mocambique Cellular, whose majority shareholder is the government owned fixed telephone operator, Telecommunicacoes de Mocambique, competes with Vodafone subsidiary Vodacom in Mozambique.