Third Afghan Network Nears its Launch

A third GSM network went live yesterday in Afghanistan. "Roshan" is the brand under which Telecom Development Company Afghanistan (TDCA) will introduce its GSM service. The word "Roshan" means "light" in Dari and Pashto, Afghanistan's two most widely spoken languages.

"We hope to enable connections that will revive the trust, friendship and cooperation necessary to bring the country out of a troubled past into a bright future," said Mr. Karim Khoja, TDCA's Chief Executive Officer. "This brand name underscores our commitment to bring a new era of high quality and reliable communication to Afghanistan," continued Mr. Khoja.

His Excellency Mr. Mohd. Masoom Stanekzai, Afghan Minister of Communications made the first test telephone call over Roshan's GSM wireless network. The call was made at 11:30 a.m. yesterday morning from the Minister's office at the Ministry of Communications to Mr. Khoja who was located in the city centre of Kabul. The call lasted approximately four minutes and was completed successfully.

"This telephone call is an important one because it symbolizes what is being done to help this country," said Minister Stanekzai during the conversation. "It demonstrates TDCA's concern about the quality of service, its coverage and the contribution that it is making to revitalise our economy."

The call marks the commencement of a four-to-six week test phase of the Roshan network. During this period, the Company will test network quality, sales processes and customer care facilities. "This will prepare us to fully deliver on our commitment to excellence," said Mr. Khoja.

Network build-out is now well underway, with construction in progress on all of its sites in the Kabul area. TDCA's Alcatel switch is currently under deployment and the project is working towards a commercial launch after the four-to-six week test phase of Roshan's network. There is an existing commerical network operated by AWCC as well as a UN staff network operated by Ericsson in Kabul."

Posted to the site on 28th July 2003