"Until TCI acquisitions Taliya stocks, wholly or partially, it wouldn't be allowed to engage in Taliya's expansion process although TCI could still proceed with its old commitments," Ahmad Olamaee told Mobna news agency.

He said he could not set a date when Tliya shares would be up for sale and that should be based on agreement between TCI and Taliya authorities.

Some 57% of the independent Taliya Network's gross income would go to Government and the operator covers all provincial centers and most major cities.