August 31 , 2016, Astana. Chief Executive Officer of Beeline Kazakhstan - Alexander Komarov and Chief Executive Officer of Xell JSC - Arti Ots signed an agreement on August 29 on the joint construction of a fourth generation network in Kazakhstan.
The event is commented by Yogesh Malik, Technical Director of VimpelCom Group of Companies: "In order to become a digital operator in the future, we need to transform ourselves today. Partnership on joint construction of the network will take a central place in the implementation of our progressive strategy. This agreement will increase the capabilities of VimpelCom as a supplier of new digital products and services throughout Kazakhstan, and improving the quality of the network will make us closer to the customer. "
The agreement assumes the use of all ready-made 4G / LTE base stations in accordance with the necessary standards (location, bandwidth and environmental protection in each city), which will provide customers with the best coverage of 4G / LTE network and quality service. To accelerate the project and for cost effectiveness, the companies will conduct joint 4G / LTE network planning throughout the country.
"Efforts of Beeline and Kcell create the infrastructure of the fourth generation network for Kazakhstan's multi-million audience. At the same time, the demand for 4G / LTE devices and services will increase. And together we can provide Kazakhstan with high-speed mobile Internet and high-quality calls. This partnership is a key step in the transformation of Beeline and will allow us to immerse our customers in a new world of digital products and services, "commented Alexander Komarov, Chief Executive Officer of Beeline Kazakhstan.
The network management will go on an equal footing between Beeline Kazakhstan and Kcell. However, in each region, the assets will belong to the operator who will be deploying the network. First of all, the agreement on joint construction of the network is focused in favor of customers and does not restrict competition between the two companies in any way.
As a result of the first stage, at the beginning of September 2016, 4G / LTE network was launched in 13 cities of the country. Kcell launched the 4G / LTE network in four cities: Almaty, Shymkent, Atyrau and Aktau. Beeline Kazakhstan successfully launched 4G / LTE network in the following cities: Astana, Karaganda, Zhezkazgan, Satpayev, Kostanay, Borovoye, Pavlodar, Semey and Ust-Kamenogorsk. According to expectations, at the end of 2016, the joint network should cover 30% of the country's population.