Russia's second-largest mobile phone operator, Vimpelcom, has received licences for third-generation (3G) mobile services in Uzbekistan, Reuters reported quoting Vimpelcom's Uzbek subsidiary.

Unitel, acquired by Vimpelcom in 2006, said in a statement the Uzbek communication regulator had awarded it the licences to construct and use a 3G network and provide services across the Central Asian state.

The company did not say when it planned to launch the new network and start providing the services, which allow faster downloads of music, video and data on mobile phones.

Vimpelcom controls 35.6% of the Uzbek mobile service market. Its main rival, Russia's largest cell phone operator, Mobile TeleSystems (MTS), controls 50.1%.

MTS subsidiary Uzdunrobita was awarded 3G licences in April.

www.uzreport.com