France Telecom along with Tunisia-based Divona bagged licence to offer fixedline and mobile services in Tunisia for $ 189.7 million.

While creating 1000-2000 direct jobs, the alliance aims to invest one billion dinars in the venture. The tie-up is aiming to launch its services on Jan 01, 2010.

The Turkish government has expressed satisfaction over the bid offer especially on the back drop of the ongoing financial meltdown.

Others to participate in the bid included Turkish operator, Turkcell.

India’s BSNL had pulled out from the race earlier citing high penetration rate coupled with the high bid price as a deterrent.