Incumbent operator, Coscom has chosen Nokia Siemens Networks to build its new nationwide mobile network in Uzbekistan. The agreement includes the replacement of the existing network and expansion of current network coverage and capacity. The deal which is worth US$152 million is for a period of two years.

Coscom is a new customer to Nokia Siemens Networks, and the deal is a complete turnkey which includes, in addition to the network infrastructure system, also Delivery and Care Services as well as Consulting and Systems Integration.

Speaking about the partnership, Murat Kircuval, Head of Customer Business Team, Nokia Siemens Networks, said, "The Uzbekistan market is among the fastest growing in Central Asia, and we believe it has great potential.

Coscom currently has just under 490,000 subscribers and a market share of around 12% according to figures from the Mobile World subscriber service. The country currently supports 3.74 million mobile subscribers - which represents a population penetration level of just 13.5%.

Along with many Commonwealth of Independent States economies, Uzbekistan’s economy has recently shifted into high gear, recording 9.1% growth in the first quarter of 2007, along with a low inflation rate of 2.9% - although these are official statistics and disputed by some economists. Uzbekistan has a very low GNI per capita (US$460 giving a PPP equivalent of US$1860).