Azernews.Az

BAKU – Azerbaijan will become one of the first world countries to launch a 4G network, said Ali Agan, head of Azerbaijan’s leading cellular operator Azercell.

According to him, the launch of the 4G network will be possible after regulatory issues have been resolved.

Azercell Telecom is fully prepared for the transition to 3G technology. Azercell's bid for a 3G license is currently under consideration at the communications ministry, and it is expected to be granted soon.

Since 2008, the company has challenged hefty investments into preparations for a shift to the 3G standard.

"Our network is absolutely ready for a commercial launch of the 3G network. We are ready to launch it not only in Baku but also at the regional level. After completing the licensing procedure, we will be able to launch the 3G network within just a few hours," Agan told a press conference Wednesday.

The cellular operator’s investments amounted to $108.2 million in 2010, Ulviyya Hasanzadeh, the head of Azercell’s Corporate Communications and Social Responsibility Unit, told the press conference.

Hasanzadeh said the company's total investment over the 14 years of its operation in Azerbaijan amounts to about $1 billion.

Last year, the company transferred taxes worth $114.6 million to the state budget and the figure has reached $868.2 million over 14 years.

The volume of the company's investments in social projects in 2010 made up approximately $1.4 million. Over 14 years, the figure reached $14.7 million.

Azercell controls 54.6 percent of Azerbaijan’s mobile communication market. The territory of the cellular operator's network coverage is 80 percent. The number of its customers as of the end of 2010 exceeded 4.2 million in the country of 9 million.

Last year the company installed 170 base stations, bringing their total number to 1,794.

Azercell cooperates with 406 roaming partners.