Telenet eyeing Belgium's fourth mobile licence

BRUSSELS, March 30 (Reuters) - Belgian cable operator Telenet (TNET.BR) is interested in bidding for a fourth Belgian mobile telecoms licence, which is likely to be put up for sale this year.

"We will continue to look at the dossier. We were already interested and now we have more insight into the terms and conditions," a spokesman said on Monday.

The Belgian Economy Ministry said at the weekend it had decided to proceed this year with the sale of a fourth licence in an effort to increase competition.

Telenet, a cable operator in the Dutch-speaking northern region of Flanders, and Voo, its counterpart in French-speaking Wallonia, are seen as potential bidders, possibly together.

Telenet declined to comment on Monday on the prospect of a joint bid with Voo. No one was immediately available for comment at Voo.

Telenet has already agreed an MVNO (mobile virtual network operator) deal with Mobistar (MSTAR.BR) to offer mobile services via the latter's network.

Belgium is due to begin a public consultation shortly and legislation should be updated before the summer, with a view to a sale of the licence in the fourth quarter. (Reporting by Antonia van de Velde; Editing by Greg Mahlich)