www.WirelessFederation.com/news: Azeri mobile operator Azerfon will launch its 3G services by the end of 2009.

According to the general director of the company, Guido Helbich, the tests of the W-CDMA/HSPA network will be completed within 2 weeks after which the service will be made commercially available in the autonomous republic of Nakhchivan, Baku and Absheron. There are plans to extend the service in other regions too.

USD20 million has been invested so far by the telco in its 3 G network. Azerfon was awarded a 3 G license by the Ministry of Communications and Information Technologies, for AZN11, 000 (USD13,600), early this month.