GSM Kazakhstan Mobile Operator Sees 2006 Investment Flat on Yr

ALMATY, April 3 (Prime-Tass) -- Kazakhstan?s leading mobile operator GSM Kazakhstan plans to invest at least U.S. $140 million in 2006, flat on the year, the company's CEO Serdar Canogullari told a news conference Monday.

Canogullari was appointed GSM Kazakhstan's CEO on Monday.

The company's operating expenses are expected to increase 36.6% on the year to $280 million in 2006, Canogullari added.

Canogullari said that the company plans to sign up 4 million users by the end of the year. The company's current subscriber base stands at 3.3 million users. The company's network covers territory where 62.8% of Kazakhstan?s population resides.

Kazakhstan's population stood at 15.121 million people as of May 1, 2005.

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Posted to the site on 3rd April 2006