Vimpelcom buys GSM licensee

Russian cellco Vimpelcom has today announced that it has acquired 51% of non-operational Georgian wireless licensee Mobitel for USD12.6 million; it has a call option on the remaining stake. Mobitel was awarded a ten year GSM-1800 licence in November 2003. Upon closing of the transaction, Vimpelcom revealed plans to hold a tender for network equipment and begin network construction. Including its presence in Georgia, Vimpelcom claims to have licences covering 237 million people across Russia and five CIS countries.