The operator said 3G network was launched in Ferghana, Andijan, Namangan, Kokand and Margilan. Population of the most densely populated region of Uzbekistan received access to broadband Internet at the speed of 3.6 Mbs for the first time.

Andrei Safronyuk, Director General for Unitel LLC, said: “We are proud to make such a worthy present to the region and the whole country on the occasion of the Independence Day, providing a quarter of the population of Uzbekistan with comfortable and fast access to Internet with 3G technology. Our specialists gained experience on work with 3G networks for two years, so we will use this experience fruitfully in Ferghana valley.”

Beeline launched commercial exploitation of the first 3G network on 2 December 2008. The network supports HSPA (High Speed Packet Access.

Anton Telegin, Marketing Director of VimpelCom Ltd for CIS countries, commented: “We see a huge demand for data transfer services in Uzbekistan. Mobile data transfer traffic grew ten times in 2009. At the same time, the volume of 3G in Tashkent made up about 50% of the whole Beeline Internet traffic in Uzbekistan. This is why the launch of the 3G network in five cities of Ferghana valley is an important step towards internetization of the whole country".

HSPA standard supported by 3G network of Unitel, provides access to broadband Internet by mobile handsets supporting 3G technology or Beeline 3G modems, distribution of which was launched in Ferghana, Andijan and Namangan regions.