Modovia's Moldcell Launches 3G Services

Modovan mobile operator, Moldcell has commercially launched its 3G network. The company started construction of its 3G network in June, although it was not actually granted a license until earlier this month. The company is reported to have spent around US$11 million on its 3G network infrastructure, which was supplied by Ericsson.

The company also announced that it will launch a HSDPA upgrade from the beginning of next month, covering Chisinau municipality at the moment of launch, and in Balti and Cahul by the end of 2008

Moldcell General Manager, Mr. Yusuf Baykan, commented "We have not hesitated for a single moment to implement this technology, since we truly believe that our clients deserve to use the advanced technologies existing on the developed world markets. Technologies themselves do not represent great interest for the general public. They enter the life of everyone as soon as concrete solutions and services are provided, which we can apply and use to make our existence more comfortable and our professional activity more efficient,"

Rival operator, Moldtelecom is already operating a 3G service on its CDMA network.

There are currently three GSM operators, Orange, Moldcell and new entrant, Eventis Mobile along with one CDMA operator, Moldtelecom in the country. According to figures from the Mobile World database, the country ended Q1 '08 with just over 1.8 million subscribers - representing a population penetration level of around 46%.

A second CDMA operator, Interdnestrcom also operates, but only in the Russia backed self-declared autonomous region of Transnistria.

Posted to the site on 26th September 2008