An American company has won the bid to provide a competing mobile telephone service in Solomon Islands.
Under the previous Telecommunications Act the market was limited to a single operator, but Parliament passed legislation in August to end this monopoly.
Be-Mobile beat two other foreign companies to secure the tender.
The other bidders were mobile giant Digicel, which is already established in several Pacific markets, and Milestone Developments.
A Evaluation Committee, appointed by the Government to scrutinise the bids, announced the winner at the weekend, though its recommendation still has to be endorsed by Cabinet.
