2000-01-24 Kazak Corporate News - Telecommunications
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Telecommunications
This year, the mobile telecommunications company Altel plans to implement an aggressive campaign to increase its client base, Commercial Vice President Mikhail Grishkov said at last Wednesday’s press conference. Beginning January 3, the company cut monthly fees by 50% and usage fees by 25%. According to Grishkov, Altel’s new tariff policy is made possible because of the company’s stability and its current client base of 35,000 users.
Founded in March 1994, Altel was the first cellular communications operator in Kazakhstan. Altel has faced stiff competition over the past year from the GSM mobile phone operators K-Cell and K-Mobile.
The national communications firm, Kazakhtelecom, owns 50% of Altel. The other half is held by US-based Metromedia International Corporation, which merged with Altel’s co-founder PLD Telecom last year.
At present the Altel network covers Astana and 11 of Kazakhstan’s 14 regional centres. Altel users can roam using the Altel networks in Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, the Kyrgyz Republic, Russia and Ukraine. (Golden Eagle Partners)