Algerian ICT minister Moussa Benhamadi announced that he has signed a decree for the launch of 3G and 3G+ licensing and service provision which is set to be published in the official gazette, APS reports. "We hope that operators will be ready to start offering services to citizens on 1 December", he said of the repeatedly postponed process. The licensing process is due to begin on 1 August. The minister added that the 3G service launch was not connected to the ongoing dispute over mobile operator Djezzy, which the government is seeking to acquire. He added that telecom regulator ARPT would be in charge of launching the tender and awarding the licences. Algeria has three mobile operators, Mobilis, Nedjma and Djezzy.