MTN Irancell preparing for 3G launch
telegeography : MTN Irancell has signed an agreement with Iran’s Communications Regulatory Authority (CRA) which will see it granted a new wireless licence later this month to cover 3G and higher generation technologies. The operator has also been granted a temporary permit which allows it to begin 3G trials in selected areas of Tehran from today. In addition, the cellco is to pay IRR3 trillion (USD113 million) by March 2015 to gain additional spectrum, though it has not specified which frequencies it will be acquiring.
Iran’s third mobile operator Tamin Telecom, which operates under the Rightel banner, currently has exclusivity in the 3G sector until September 2014. Irancell and the country’s other cellco – state-owned Mobile Communication Company of Iran (MCI) – are both likely to launch high speed mobile services as soon as they are permitted.