Azercell: 3G deployment to reduce cost of data transmission services

It is necessary to free frequencies to launch the third generation network 3G, Azercell Telecom (mobile operator) President Ali Agan said at a press briefing on Wednesday.

He said at present the frequencies provided by Azercell to deploy 3G are used by company B&BTV (cable TV operator).

"Despite the fact that the State Radio Frequencies Administration has a decision to allocate frequencies [2100 MHz] necessary for deploying 3G, this company [B&BTV] still has not freed them. I believe that if the frequencies are not freed after the second appeal, then this issue will be resolved in court," Agan said.

With regard to the 3G deployment, Agan said Azercell is ready to provide services in this standard for already 4 years.

He said after the network is commercially launched, subscribers will not have to change the existing SIM cards. From a financial point of view 3G would seriously affect the reduction of cost of data transmission services.

An additional license, as well as new frequency is needed to provide services in more advanced communication standard 4G (LTE), Agan said.

Azerbaijani Communications and IT Ministry issued a license to provide 3G services to mobile operators Azercell and Bakcell on Wednesday.

The decision was taken following the ministry board meeting.

At present, only one operator - Azerfon has a license to provide 3G services. Other operators have repeatedly stated that they are ready to provide services in this standard and they have all required infrastructure.

Also all three mobile operators were recommended to submit proposals for introducing next generation of mobile communication 4G (LTE).


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