Uzbekistan’s UzMobile, part of local incumbent Uzbektelecom, has announced tenders split into five lots to modernise its mobile networks in 13 regions. The first lot is for the expansion of the CDMA2000 1x network and the introduction of its CDMA2000 1xEV-DO Rev A 3G solution in the northern regions of Karakalpakstan, Khorezm, Navoi and Bukhara. The second lot is to expand the coverage of UzMobile’s 2G networks in the south, specifically Tashkent, Samarkand, Ferghana, Namangan, Andijan, Kashkadarya, Surkhandarya, Jizzakh and Syrdarya regions. The third, fourth and fifth lots are for the provision of radio relay link (RRL) equipment, the modernisation of its SMS services and the delivery of software to plan and optimise radio networks. Uzbektelecom has set maximum prices for the lots: USD2.7 million for the first, USD4.9 million for the second and a total of USD1.5 million for the final three, making a maximum total investment of USD9.1 million. The telco is inviting bids from foreign or domestic vendors, and expects to have chosen suppliers by late October.
According to TeleGeography’s GlobalComms Database, Uzbektelecom launched its first 3G network, operating in the 450MHz band, in March 2010 in the capital and main cities in nine regions.