BelCel launches EV-DO network in Minsk

Belarusian mobile operator BelCel has launched a new network based on CDMA2000 1x EV-DO technology in the capital, Minsk. The cellco has two operational standards for EV-DO: one which provides CDMA2000 1x EV-DO for voice and data transmission services with speeds of 153kbps, and the other which is a data-only service – targeting the business community – which provides connection speeds of 2.4Mbps, but is only available in the centre of Minsk. By September, BelCel hopes to have expanded its EV-DO network to the entire city, and aims to provide the service in all regional centres by the end of this year. The EV-DO equipment and technology has been provided by China’s Huawei Technologies.