OREANDA-NEWS. November 25, 2011. Bakcell, The First Mobile Operator of Azerbaijan, has been running the testing phases for the introduction of its 3G services. The testing is available in the 62 cities of the country which are ready to provide high quality mobile internet services in 3G. The Company launched its much waited 3G network on test mode on November 3, immediately after being awarded with the 3G license and signing a protocol regarding testing on those frequencies with BBTV, reported the press-centre of Bakcell.

Phase 1 has been internal testing with up to 1,000 internal users - 3G service has been activated and was available on all Bakcell employee numbers. In this stage all Bakcell employees have tested 3G using smartphones. Further testing has been done using hundreds of 3G dongles. In addition dozens of mi-fi units were distributed and have been tested.  Phase 2 was launched on November 15th for the selected group of Bakcell's dealers. In this stage, 3G dongles were distributed, as well as smart phones and mi-fi units have been tested. Phase 3 of the test mode will be launched on November 21, 2011 for the key corporate customers of Bakcell.

The Company has invited its leading corporate customers to experience the 3G service. 3G services are available within most regions of Azerbaijan and also outside of the country where there is Bakcell’s roaming partner with 3G coverage.  With 3G on Bakcell, you can enjoy high-quality video calling, music and video streaming, super fast internet browsing on your 3G mobile phone.

Bakcell will announce Phase 4 - commercial launch of 3G as soon as the relevant frequencies by the State Radiofrequency Commission are allocated, Richard Shearer, Bakcell CEO said “We are totally prepared for commercial launch of 3G services. We are not, however, prepared to break the conditions of our license by launching before we have the agreement of B&BTV to vacate the frequencies. We do not want to interfere with B&BTV customers’ services and impact their business.”

The License awarded by the MCIT on November 2nd specifically states:

The Ministry of Communications and Information Technologies of the Republic of Azerbaijan authorizes the provision of 3rd Generation (3G) communication services (After the execution of the protocol decision #66 dated 28.10.2011 of the State Radiofrequency Commission on ).

The protocol decision #66 states:

“it was decided to withdraw … frequency band … from B&BTV communications” LLC and allocate for the use of “Bakcell Ltd” LLC.  All the related fees shall be paid by “Bakcell Ltd” LLC in accordance with the mutual agreement.

Further, the Minutes of the Meeting held at the MCIT on 24 June cited “MCIT shall introduce to the discussion of the State Radiofrequency Commission the issue of reallocating the frequencies from “B&BTV Communication” to “Azercell Telekom” and “Bakcell LTD” LLC in accordance with the existing regulations….based on agreements between “Azercell Telekom” LLC and  “B&BTV Communication” LLC and “Bakcell Ltd” LLC and  “B&BTV Communication” LLC”.

Mr Shearer further stated “We are adhering to the terms of our license and respecting the wishes of the MCIT to reach an equitable agreement with B&BTV. We do not believe aggressive tactics and ignoring the terms of the license are constructive behavior in this market.”

Bakcell’s network is completely ready for provision of services in 3G standard with the largest base-station network, which exceeds 2500 sites all around the country. A significant effort and a significant investment has been undertaken to ensure we provide the highest quality 2G and 3G experience for Bakcell’s customers. In a short period the Company will have the best 3G experience for its customers. “Bakcell’s 3G services will not only be Max but SuperMax” said Krasimir Genov, Bakcell CCO.