Belarusian communications minister seeks investors for wireless internet development

Nikolai Strukov, the Deputy Minister of Communications and Informatization, says the country needs to attract new investors in order to develop wireless internet access. He stressed the importance of WiMAX, saying: ‘Today frequencies for testing of equipment are allocated and three base stations have been supplied by Siemens to Minsk.’ He went on to say that field trials of WiMAX are being conducted with other ministries and government bodies, and have so far yielded positive results. According to the Ministry, USD50 million will need to be invested in developing wireless internet access services in Minsk. Elsewhere, Mr Strukov confirmed that Beltelecom, Velcom and MTS are currently exploring options for the introduction of 3G mobile services.