BELARUS NEWS AND ANALYSIS

DATE:

21/06/2006

Belarus? MDC to buy $44 mln equipment from Sweden's Ericsson

MOSCOW, June 21 (Prime-Tass) -- Belarusian mobile phone operator Mobile Digital Communications (MDC) has signed an agreement on the supply and installation of equipment worth U.S. $44 million with Sweden's Ericsson, the latter said in a press release Wednesday.

Ericsson will supply and install equipment allowing the operator to increase its network capacity to 3 million users and offer a wider range of services, Ericsson said, adding that the project is expected to be completed by the end of the year.

MDC's subscriber base rose to 1.885 million users as of January 1 from 1.135 million users as of January 1, 2005.

MDC offers GSM 900/1800 standard services under the Velcom brand.

MDC was founded in August 1998. MDC's charter capital is divided between Cyprus? SB Telecom with 49%, Belarus? state-controlled fixed-line monopoly Beltelecom with 31% and Belarus? arms and weapons exporter Beltekhexport with 20%.

Source:

http://www.cellular-news.com/story/17923.php