Mobile TeleSystems (News - Alert) OJSC (MBT), a mobile phone operator in Russia and the CIS with over 87.26 million subscribers, has launched test zone of its UMTS (3G) network in Uzbekistan.

 

Tashkent, the capital of Uzbekistan, is the first city in the region where MTS (News - Alert), which announced technical readiness for commercial launch of 3G services in late 2008, launched its next-generation network.

 

Development of UMTS networks is a major step for MTS, which is fine tuning its strategies to provide mobile broadband in the CIS. MTS is looking at cash in on the growing demand for broadband Internet requirements. MTS said it plans to offer attractive data products and services.

 

Rolling out of 3G services will be in a phased manner. The company is planning to cover the entire city, and will commercially launch the 3G services by the end of the year. Additional cities including Samarkand, Bukhara, and Andijan will be covered in 2009. 

MTS has chosen Huawei (News - Alert) Technologies, telecom solutions provider from China, to offer 3G equipment, technical support and employee training.

 

Uzbekistan markets are known for low levels of fixed-line penetration. Under investment in infrastructure has always been a major concern. MTS views its networks as an ideal vehicle to meet the growing broadband Internet needs of its subscribers.

 

“MTS is the leading mobile operator in Uzbekistan and plays a key role in the development of the country's telecommunications market. With the launch of our 3G network, we will bring the most innovative mobile products and services to our subscribers along with the high quality of customer service,” said Bekhzod Akhmedov, head of MTS Uzbekistan, in a statement.

 

MTS has the potential to serve a huge population in the CIS. The regions of Russia, Armenia, Belarus, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, and Uzbekistan, in which MTS and its associates and subsidiaries are licensed to provide Global System for Mobile communications (GSM) services, have a population of more than 230 million.

 

“Given the low penetration level of fixed Internet connections, we see great prospects for growth by delivering mobile broadband solutions through our 3G network,” Akhmedov added.

 

MTS launched its first 3G network in Russia in May 2008 and plans to launch the network in Armenia in early 2009. MTS is currently operating a Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA)-450 network in Ukraine to provide high-speed data access for its clients.