The Cyprus Government will choose the organisation that will secure the new second generation 20-year mobile telecommunications license at the end of November through the process of ascending multiple round auction, Communications and Works Minister Averof Neophytou announced in Nicosia on Monday.

Speaking at a press conference, he said the prospect of Cyprus' accession to the European Union brings new challenges and tough choices along with fierce competition and the purpose of the Ministry's policy is to create a healthy competitive environment in telecommunications for the benefit of the Cypriot consumer and the Cyprus economy. He repeated that the Cyprus Electricity Authority cannot participate in the auction directly.

At present, the Cyprus Telecommunications Authority (CYTA) has a monopoly on the provision of telecommunication services.