New GSM operator to come on stream in March

Azerfon Public Affairs Office told that network testing activities have continued to progress and are about to be complete. The Narmobile-branded operator will have customer service centers in Baku, Ganja and Nakhchivan as it starts up.

At the first phase, Azerfon's network coverage will be available in Baku, Sumgait, and Absheron peninsula, Ganja, Nakhchivan, Mingechevir, Ali Bayramli, Lenkeran and Guba and will reach 80% of the country by the end of 2007.

AZERFON LLC has been granted a license by Communications and Information Technologies Ministry of Azerbaijan dated 30.12.2005 for the provision of GSM mobile communications services in 900/1800 MHz band throughout the territory of Azerbaijan, APA reports.

Azerfon's stockholders are Aztelecom (10%), Siemens (30%), British ERSTEL Azerbaijan Ltd (30%) and CELLEX Communication (30%).