Sonaecom's Optimus and Portugal Telecom's TMN are competing for an mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) deal with Portugal's postal company CTT, Diario Economico reported, without citing a source.

According to the newspaper, CTT has been mulling launching a virtual mobile service for a long time, but only two months ago developed a list of its requirements, having been delayed by the uncertainty which surrounded Soneacom's takeover bid for PT.

Vodafone (nyse: VOD - news - people ) Portugal has decided not to participate in the tender, but 'will respond to the list of requirements through another methodology, and is still open to proposals from companies interested in virtual mobile services,' the paper added, citing an unnamed source at the company.