BeST contracts Alcatel for new equipment

Belarusian mobile operator Belarus Telecommunications Network (BeST) has contracted People’s Republic-based Alcatel Shanghai Bell to provide equipment to roll out its network in a deal worth USD234 million. The cellco was awarded a licence to operate services in March this year and plans to start commercial operations by the end of the year. It hopes to have signed up 500,000 – 600,000 subscribers by the end of 2006.