Ethiopia is the location for the latest new opportunity for MNOs to expand into a new geography. This is becoming increasingly rare, and established operators are more likely to face a challenge in an entrenched market, if regulators allow a new entrant, than get the chance to move into a brand new country. But a few markets remain to be deregulated, and Ethiopia is one. The plan is to sell 40% in monopoly incumbent Ethio Telecom and grant two new licences, removing an old bar on foreign investment in telecoms. 12 international companies are participating in the race for the new licences, lured by the high growth potential in a market with 110m people, but with ageing infrastructure and low…