| Kazakhstan will offer a third GSM license next year in the hopes that this would boost competition, Prime Minister Danial Akhmetov said.
"We plan to put up for sale the 1800 (megahertz) frequency on the telecoms services market to create a tougher and more competitive environment for mobile phone operators. We plan to do so next year," Akhmetov said.
The number of mobile subscribers in Kazakhstan has reached 3 million out of a total population of 15 million. Mobile subscribers now outnumber the 2.5 million fixed-line subscribers.
GSM Kazakhstan, majority owned by TeliaSonera and Turkcell, dominates the mobile market with 2 million subscribers. Kazakhstan's second GSM provider is Kar-Tel, a subsidiary of Vimpelcom.
Source: Reuters - WDR/Intelecon Regulatory News
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