Coscom plans to roll out a 3G network in the country’s capital Tashkent this year, investing US$10 million-US$15 million, Baisal said.

Total investment in 3G is projected at US$20 million-US$30 million and further network rollout will depend on the performance of the Tashkent network, he said.

Three more Uzbek operators have 3G licenses – Uzdunrobita, a 100% subsidiary of Russia’s MTS, Unitel, a 100% subsidiary of Russia’s VimpelCom, and Uzbektelecom Mobile, a unit of the national fixed-line operator Uzbektelecom.

Coscom, a subsidiary of Nordic telecoms holding TeliaSonera, is one of three GSM operators in Uzbekistan. There are five cellular operators in the country.