Uzmacom sold to Alfa

Acquisitive Russian group Alfa has reportedly bought 100% of Uzbeki wireless operator Uzmacom for USD13 million. Uzmacom was established in 1996 as a joint venture between SuperiorMas of Malaysia (74%) and the government (26%); it was awarded a 15-year GSM-900 licence in 2001 although this was later amended to include access to 1800MHz frequencies. Uzmacom’s network, which only has coverage of the capital Tashkent, had in the region of 10,000 customers at the end of 2004.