Seven companies have purchased documents for participation in the upcoming sealed-bid tenders for three UMTS licences, Bulgaria's Communications Regulation Commission (CRC) said on Monday, February 28. Bulgaria's dominant wireless operator MobilTel, Greek-controlled rival operator Cosmo Bulgaria Mobile, Bulgaria's former telecom monopoly BTC, AII Data Processing, Turkcell Communications Services, First Place International Resources and Sofia-based Klubverband-ITA bought the tender documents before the expiry of the February 28 deadline. In the tender scheduled for March 30, the CRC will hand out one Class A licence with capacity 2x10 MHz+1x5 MHz. Bidding will start at BGN 70 mln with increment of BGN 2 mln. Two Class B licenses with capacity 2x5 MHz+1x5 MHz will be up for grabs at the April 5 auction. The bidding for the two 20-year licences will start at BGN 42 mln with increment set at BGN 1 mln. Turkcell, Cosmo Bulgaria Mobile, BTC and Klubverband-ITA will reportedly pursue a licence from either class. Britain's First Place said it bought the documents for an unidentified client.