VimpelCom scores Uzbeki double

Russian wireless giant VimpelCom has announced that it has acquired 100% of Bakrie Uzbekistan Telecom LLC (Buztel), the fourth largest cellco in Uzbekistan, and has signed an agreement with Germanos and EBRD to buy the second largest operator, Unitel. VimpelCom will pay USD60 million plus USD2.6 million in debt for Buztel and USD200 million and USD13.4 million in debt for Unitel. As soon as is practible following the acquisitions VimpelCom plans to merge the two operators. Unitel currently has around 364,000 subscribers, giving it a market share of 31%.