Uzbekistan Awards 3G License

Uzbekistan's telecoms regulator, the Communications and Information Agency has awarded a 3G license to the local subsidiary of Russia's MTS. The license is valid for the entire territory of the country and is valid until the end of 2016.

MTS says that it is planning to begin developing its 3G network in Uzbekistan this year after completing a tender to choose an equipment supplier.

"We welcome the decision of the Communications and Information Agency of Uzbekistan to allocate the Company a 3G license. MTS is a leader in the country's wireless market and plays a vital part in the development of the telecommunications market in Uzbekistan. The launch of 3G will allow subscribers to use high-tech and innovative services coupled with high service quality and level of customer service," commented President and CEO of MTS, Leonid Melamed.

The Company is planning to launch its 3G network in 2008 in Tashkent followed by Samarkand, Bukhara and Andijan.

"Currently the development of traditional Internet technologies is limited by the low fixed-line penetration levels. Therefore, broadband access to the Internet and new services using 3G will satisfy the increasing needs of the country's subscribers," highlighted Head of MTS Uzbekistan, Bekhzod Akhmedov. "

Posted to the site on 25th April 2007