Velcom releases new business tariffs (Belarus)
Velcom has launched the new tariff dubbed ‘Business.Pro. Platinum tariff’ which focuses on VIP subscribers.
The tariff includes 200 minutes of international calls, 500 minutes of calls to all networks, 250MB of internet traffic, antivirus software, counter-number definition service, twin-card and SIM replacement if required.
Velcom expands 3G network to Braslav (Belarus)
Belarusian mobile operator Mobile Digital Communications, operating under the Velcom banner, has extended its W-CDMA/HSPA+ network to Braslav in the Vitebsk region and to the Silichi Ski Resort, near Minsk.
Consequently, the upgrade Velcom subscribers in these areas can now access a range of advanced services such as video calls, mobile TV or online TV it said, as well as benefiting from higher connection speeds when surfing on the internet.
Velcom completed the construction phase of its 3G/3.5G network covering cities with a population of at least 30,000 in November 2010. At that date it has the total number of settlements equipped with HSPA+ enabled base transceiver stations (BTS) reached 81, a figure which had climbed to around 110 by the year end.
Telekom Austria acquires remaining 30% Stake in SB Telecom (Austria,Belarus)
The Telekom Austria Group is buying 30% of SB Telecom, the sole owner of the Belarus based mobile network Velcom, for US$459.01 million. The deal is part of a put option agreed between the two companies when Telekom Austria brought its 70% stake in SB Telecom in October 2007.
Settlement will take place within 10 business days and the transaction will increase the Telekom Austria Group’s stake in Velcom to 100% .In addition, a US$339.39 million portion of the total performance based deferred consideration of US$431.60 million is payable on October 4, 2010 as predetermined performance criteria have been fulfilled. The next evaluation date for the settlement of the remaining US$89.74 million of the performance related deferred payment will take place in Q1 2011.
Final settlement of the performance related consideration is not to be expected before Q1 2012.
Belarus 3G license granted to Telekom Austria
www.WirelessFederation.com/news: The Belarusian subsidiary of Telekom Austria has been awarded a countrywide 3G licence, at a price of €9.5 million and it will run until August 24, 2017. In order to support the 3G network, Velcom’s mobile network is already undergoing up gradation at a rate of 10 base stations per day.
After striking a reseller deal with CDMA operator Belcel in May 2009, Velcom has been selling mobile broadband services to its customers in Belarus. As per the 50-50 revenue sharing agreement, Velcom offered Internet services running on Belcel’s EV-DO network, which at the time was capable of supporting connection speeds of up to 3.1 Mbps.
Velcom has the second largest share of the market with 4 million customers; following MTS which currently has the largest share of the market with 4.52 million subscribers.
Velcom’s subscribers base rise by 10.9%
www.WirelessFederation.com/news: 10.9% increase in the mobile subscribers has been recorded by Belarusian mobile operator Mobile Digital Communications (Velcom) which closed out 2009 with 4.102 million users.
However, the market share of the company went down from 44.8% at end-2008 to 42.7% at the end of 2009. The loss incurred even after the rollout of 409 new base stations and the extension of services to 150 new settlements increasing the coverage to 99.4% last year.
Velcom hopes to launch the UMTS network commercially by 31 December 2010.
MDC reports 2.56 million subs at end-October
Belarusian operator Mobile Digital Communications (MDC), which markets its services under the brand names Velcom and Privet, reported having 2.56 million subscribers by the end of October, up 2.6% on the previous month. MDC offers services based on the GSM-900/1800 standard and said its network now covers 73% of the territory where 92% of the population resides. By 1 November the operator said it had 1,530 base stations in operation, up from 1,451 base stations the previous month.
Source- telegeography Wireless Mobile Telecom
