- The biggest trouble for a client of a cellular company is the lack of communication or the inability to reach the right person. What is the lack of access to subscriber most often caused by?

- Unavailability of a number is a frequent phenomenon in the world of mobile communications. Here it is necessary to immediately distinct the reasons why it is happening. Obviously, when a subscriber is in a place where the signal is jammed or completely missing (subway, closed rooms of reinforced concrete, etc.) then the lack of communication cannot be eliminated for quite obvious reasons. But the failures often occur due to temporary technical factors. For example, the massive influx of users can cause problems with the network - and as a result there are dropped calls, problems with dialup. Such a phenomenon we often encounter in the days of national holidays, when a lot of people congratulate each other on phone at the same time. But now too we often see a similar picture, because every day many new customers come to the offices of mobile operators. Such an increase in users often causes temporary congestion of the network, similar to that which we observe, for example, on New Year's Eve.

- What about overseas? Do foreign users of mobile communication have the same problems as we do?

- In developed countries, where the quality of mobile communication is high, the Block Rate in the network is at maximum of 2% of all calls. Our network’s daily Block Rate now stands at no more than 5%. I will mention one more criteria for evaluating communications – the percentage of calls’ Drop Rate. In developed countries it stands at 0.2%, we have it at 1.2%. Uzbekistan is a young independent state with a great future, so I believe that the country's mobile operators will be able to quickly bring the telecommunications industry to the level of those states in which it intensively improved for many decades.

- What is necessary for it?

- In order to reduce the blocking and drop of the network, Ucell experts spend huge daily work on optimization of base stations. To do so, our technical staff travels to the main places of their location throughout the country and check with data meters for the workload of each station. If somewhere workload is less than at other stations, under the resolution of authorized managers redirect radio relay line. Thus, the wound up "plug" (congestion) in a particular station is removed. Changing the direction of antennas at base stations is possible only after the approval of the State Inspectorate of Communications, who shall issue a permit on a daily basis, if there is a need.

- Is not it simpler to increase the number of base stations?

- One is impossible without the other. It is necessary not only to build new stations, but also to optimize their performance, otherwise purchasing expensive equipment will be useless. Ucell already is implementing a project to increase the number of base stations throughout the country. By the end of the year, we plan to increase the number of 2G-stations by 9.5%. At the same time will increase the number of 2G transceivers by 21.6%. Given the growing popularity of third generation networks, much attention is paid to the start of the new 3G-stations. This year their number will increase by 52.8%.

- It certainly will affect the expansion of coverage of Ucell...

- Of course. Amount of coverage per capita in the country will grow by 1.2% and make 90% of 2G-networks. With regard to 3G-network even greater growth is planned - 26.7% and up to 45%. By the results of test drives in Tashkent, we can say that the average and maximum speed of the Internet have shown better results in comparison with other operators.

- And what will happen to users of mobile Internet? Will the capacity of external channels of the company increase for them?

- Today, the capacity of external Internet channel is sufficient, but if necessary we can at any time redeem an additional cross. Our ICT experts have been monitoring the network round the clock and react to the tiniest faults. In the near future, based on the analysis of Internet traffic, we plan to increase the external internet channel to 1 GB. Let me remind you that now the peak of the Internet traffic in Ucell the network is up to 700 Mb/s, and mobile Internet users do not have any problems.

- Knowing the commitment of Ucell to innovation, we can assume that you have something to tell about this aspect of your business.

- Of course, you are right. Ucell is not only innovative, but also environmentally friendly, green company, so this year we plan to reduce energy consumption of base stations by 22%. About 100 stations of increased workload, as well as stations located in rural areas, will be transferred to food by solar energy with zero power consumption in compliance with sanitary standards. Thus, we reiterate that we realize our social responsibility and strive to make contribution to national development and prosperity of people.