Ucell extends concessions until 2031

Swedish-owned mobile provider Ucell has been granted extensions to its cellular licences, UzDaily reports. Ucell’s licences for the design, construction, operation and provision of services over telecommunication networks were extended by 15 years, until 10 October 2031. As noted by TeleGeography’s GlobalComms Database, Ucell is majority-owned by Sweden’s Telia Company, but following allegations of corruption regarding its Uzbek unit, the group announced in September 2015 that it was looking to offload its 94% stake in the cellco. Meanwhile, rival mobile provider Beeline Uzbekistan – part of multinational telecoms group VimpelCom – revealed in July this year that it had also had its concessions extended by 15 years.