Russia's MTS resumes operations in Uzbekistan
| Publisher | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |
| Publication Date | 1 December 2014 |
| Cite as | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Russia's MTS resumes operations in Uzbekistan, 1 December 2014, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/54be128c15.html [accessed 17 September 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
December 01, 2014
By RFE/RL's Uzbek Service
Russian mobile phone operator MTS has resumed operations in Uzbekistan, more than two years after being forced out in a dispute with Uzbek authorities.
A new MTS-Uzbek joint venture, Universal Mobile Systems (UMS), started operations on December 1.
MTS was the largest mobile phone operator in Uzbekistan from 2004 until 2012, with some 9 million customers at its peak.
In 2012, Uzbek authorities accused MTS subsidiary Uzdunrobita of regulatory violations, arrested several of its top officials, and revoked its license.
The moves coincided with the arrests of associates of Uzbek President Islam Karimov's daughter Gulnara Karimova, who gained control over Uzdunrobita in early 2000s.
Karimova is under house arrest and under investigation on suspicion of corruption.
UMS was established earlier this year after MTS and the Uzbek government agreed to resolve their differences.
MTS owns 50.01 percent of its shares, while the Uzbek government holds 49.99 percent.
Link to original story on RFE/RL website