Azercell says unable to get 3G license
Azerbaijan’s leading cellular operator, Azercell,
has been ready to introduce cutting-edge 3G technologies for two
years but its applications to relevant government agencies over
obtaining the required license remain unanswered, the company
said.
Azercell has formally appealed several times to the bodies in charge to acquire the needed certificates of compliance but has so far received no reply, the cellular operator said in a statement.
The standard, developed by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), enables the use of high-speed data transfer, video-phones and mobile TV services.
Azercell said it had presented 3G technologies in 2008 at the BakuTel exhibition, Azerbaijan’s key ICT event. At this year’s show, the cellular operator took another step forward by testing the 4G technology.
According to Azercell, its readiness to apply the advanced standard is confirmed not only by the company’s novelties and technological preparedness but also by its offering compliant phone models and equipment and making them available for its customers.
"For this very reason we believe that if 3G licenses are simultaneously granted to all operators, this would create equal conditions for presenting the latest technologies to their customers. This, in turn, will provide broader opportunities for the development of the ICT sector," the statement said.
Azercell also noted that it has channeled investment to the tune of $1 billion into the Azerbaijani economy throughout its 13-year-long operation in the country.
Azerfon, another local cellular operator, was licensed by the Ministry of Communications and Information Technologies to provide services based on "third-generation" 3G technologies on December 1. The bids of two other cellular providers operating in the country – Azercell and Bakcell – were declined due to improper submission of documentation, according to the communications ministry spokesman.*
Azercell has formally appealed several times to the bodies in charge to acquire the needed certificates of compliance but has so far received no reply, the cellular operator said in a statement.
The standard, developed by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), enables the use of high-speed data transfer, video-phones and mobile TV services.
Azercell said it had presented 3G technologies in 2008 at the BakuTel exhibition, Azerbaijan’s key ICT event. At this year’s show, the cellular operator took another step forward by testing the 4G technology.
According to Azercell, its readiness to apply the advanced standard is confirmed not only by the company’s novelties and technological preparedness but also by its offering compliant phone models and equipment and making them available for its customers.
"For this very reason we believe that if 3G licenses are simultaneously granted to all operators, this would create equal conditions for presenting the latest technologies to their customers. This, in turn, will provide broader opportunities for the development of the ICT sector," the statement said.
Azercell also noted that it has channeled investment to the tune of $1 billion into the Azerbaijani economy throughout its 13-year-long operation in the country.
Azerfon, another local cellular operator, was licensed by the Ministry of Communications and Information Technologies to provide services based on "third-generation" 3G technologies on December 1. The bids of two other cellular providers operating in the country – Azercell and Bakcell – were declined due to improper submission of documentation, according to the communications ministry spokesman.*
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