Second Network Opens in Iran

South Africa's MTN Group has confirmed that its Iranian network has commenced commercial operations in the country, with coverage in Tehran, Mashhad and Tabriz. Sari and Karaj are expected to be available within the next two weeks.

MTN Irancell is currently connecting only post paid customers and has released 350 000 SIM cards into the market. It is expected that MTN Irancell will have 1 million subscribers by the end of December 2006.

Unlike current services, MTN Irancell subscribers will benefit from a service that is available immediately upon purchase of a SIM card at a connection fee of IRR 1,500,000 ($160). MTN Irancell products are available at over 200 stores in Tehran, Tabriz and Mashhad. This distribution network is expected to increase to 7,000 national points of presence by December 2006, in most of the major cities in Iran.

Turkcell was originally awarded the license to operate the country's first privately owned network, but was forced to surrender the license to MTN following political and financial pressures."

Posted to the site on 24th October 2006