From Russia with love? MTS mulls Uzbek return

Russian-backed cellco MTS Uzbekistan may become operational in early January 2013, according to local press reports citing ‘confidential sources’. MTS was accused of a host of crimes and had its licence cancelled in June this year, with the company’s assets seized shortly afterwards. Earlier this month, however the decision was overturned and the operator issued a fine of USD600 million. MTS took a write-down on the loss of the company, and has not confirmed whether it plans to return to Uzbekistan.