Afghanistan Tenders for Nationwide CDMA Network

Afghanistan's telecoms regulator has issued a tender for a CDMA based mobile network, as well as a landline operator tender. The Ministry of Communications says that it plans to re-configure and re-orient the existing CDMA and Fixed Line Networks. The first CDMA based fully Mobile Pre-paid Voice and Data Network of Afghanistan is to cover all 34 Provinces in Afghanistan, and the second Network covering 6 Provinces would offer Fixed Line based Voice and Data Services, in addition to CDMA based Mobile services.

The second network, to be deployed in 6 Provinces would offer Fixed Line based Voice and Data Services, in addition to CDMA based Mobile services. In Fixed Line Network, Pre-paid Service would be given by inducting F-IN Platforms and Data Services would be offered through DSLs and ADSLs, after installing Data Cards in such Fixed Line Switches. Fixed Line Subscribers would be offered broadband Data Services through DSL and ADSL Equipment. In addition, PDSNs will be required at Kandahar, Heraat and Mazaar. At Kabul, the existing PDSN will be utilized.

The Ministry of Communications says that it has built the Telecom Infrastructure in all the 34 Provinces of the Country during last 3 years. CDMA based Networks and the Fixed Line Networks have been built and made operational for both Voice and Data Services. 31 Switches are operational now with a built up capacity of 225,000 CDMA Lines and 101,400 Fixed Lines. NOC has been built at Kabul. There are 85 BTSs deployed now throughout the Country providing CDMA Services.

The Mobile World subscriber database estimates that Afghanistan ended Q3 '06 with just over 1.5 million mobile phone users - representing a population penetration level of 4.9%."

Posted to the site on 5th March 2007