MTN Afghanistan looks to have 3G network operational in 20 days

MTN Afghanistan has paid US$25 million for Afghanistan’s second 3G licence, following the award of a concession to Etisalat in March. A signing ceremony on June 20 was presided over by the Afghanistan Telecom Regulatory Authority (ATRA) and the ministry of Communication and Information Technology (MCIT).

MTN expects to make 3G services available to its customers within 20 days, though it did not comment on the extent of the network’s planned coverage. At launch, rival Etisalat’s 3G footprint was limited to the capital Kabul, though the network was extended to Jalalabad earlier this month.

Still waiting to be awarded 3G licences are Roshan and the Afghan Wireless Communication Company (AWCC). Both companies have previously expressed intentions to add 3G services, but have been awaiting the disbursal of authorisations. The duo are expected to be offered licences in the near future and at the same price paid by MTN and Etisalat.

As noted by TeleGeography’s GlobalComms Database, with fewer than 5,000 broadband subscribers at the end of March 2012, but more than 18.5 million wireless subscribers at that date, 3G is poised to satisfy Afghanistan’s demand for Internet services by mobilising the nation’s large wireless market, filling the void left by the poor provision of traditional fixed Internet services.