Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, Feb. 23
By Huseyn Hasanov - Trend:
Today more than 3.7 million subscribers use the mobile communication services rendered by Altyn Asyr (TM Cell) CJSC - the only national mobile communication operator of Turkmenistan, according to the 'Neutral Turkmenistan' newspaper.
This information was provided with a reference to stats presented at a recent government meeting by Turkmen Deputy Prime Minister Satlyk Satlykov, who supervises the development of telecommunications in the country.
Altyn Asyr was established in 2004 and joined the GSM Associations in the same year, being registered under the ТМ CELL name with the 438 02 index.
Its coverage area has since expanded considerably; the company is present in almost all residential areas of Turkmenistan, including in remote and inaccessible areas, and along motor ways and railways.
Turkmen Communications Ministry till recent days was a local monopoly in Turkmenistan in the area of provision of telecommunications services.
The state-owned companies operating at the ministry provided the public with telephone and mobile communications, internet and cable TV services.
In 2012 the number of TM Cell's subscribers reached three million people.
In 2013 the state-owned Altyn Asyr (TM Cell) mobile communication enterprise converted into a private company becoming a closed joint stock company (CJSC).
Earlier it was reported that joint ventures can be created in Turkmen mobile communication's market with some foreign investments.
Among the foreign companies only Russian mobile communications operator - MTS is currently operating in Turkmenistan.
Translated by E.A.