Telecom Italia is the latest big name to enter the running for Egypt’s third mobile licence, announcing plans to team up with national incumbent Telecom Egypt to make a bid for the concession. The two companies have previously joined forces to offer IP services in the country. It was originally thought that Telecom Egypt would not be allowed to participate in the bidding after handing back its own mobile licence in 2003, but the telco has now been given tacit authority to enter the tender.