Kazakhstan cellular operators announced about reducing tariffs

/IRBIS, September 9, 2010/ - Kazakhstan cellular operators announced about
reducing tariffs for services, informed 8 press service of the Ministry of
Communications and Information of the Republic of Kazakhstan on
September 8..

As indicated in the message, this statement was made in the course of the
next meeting of the Council of the operators. The initiative of the Ministry of
Communications and Information on tariff reduction was supported by all
parties to the cellular market.

It is reported that during the meeting it was announced that the company
"GSM Kazakhstan JSC Kazakhtelecom intends to reduce the cost of the road
moments from 29 to KZT19 with VAT. The average price per minute will be
KZT9 (late 2010 - early 2011). LLP Car Tel supported the initiative, saying a
similar decrease in tariffs. Net tariffs of LLP Mobile Telecom Service" will also
not exceed KZT19 per minute.

Minister of Communications and Information Askar Zhumagaliyev noted that
"the steps the operators to reduce tariffs will, without fail, valued customer.
However, - said Head of Communication, - The Ministry intends to continue to
carry out relevant work in this direction. The operators must constantly pay
this issue note: adjust its tariff policy to the needs of subscribers and the
spirit of the times.

It is indicated that the issue of decreasing rates "interconnect" is also not left
unattended. Chief Executive Officer, LLP "GSM Kazakhstan JSC"
Kazakhtelecom Mr. Veysel Aral, said the company is ready to lower rates on
interconnection by 20%. Mr. Anatoly Popov, General Director of LLP "Kar-Tel"
has supported the initiative, noting that the sharp decline should not be,
otherwise the economy could be affected companies. Meanwhile, General
Director of LLP "Mobile Telecom Service" Mr. Andrey Smelkov expressed his
opinion about a significant reduction in rates on the "Interconnect": "We
welcome the initiative of the Ministry and the offer to reduce tariffs for
interconnect services for voice traffic passes with 19.98 to KZT5.04 per
minute.

"Due to the fact that the rate on the interconnect is not regulated by the State,
the Minister encouraged participants to the meeting to consider 20 per cent
reduction in tariff for interconnection and to reach an agreed solution, but also
examine the further decrease," - it's stated in the message.

The report notes that the Ministry of Communications and Information in
March and April of this year, reviewed the situation with the cost of cellular
services. The analysis showed a high level of tariffs, in comparison with other
countries. Thus, the average tariff for calls within the network LLP GSM
Kazakhstan JSC Kazakhtelecom is KZT21 per minute, similar rates have LLP
Kar-Tel, which is more than double their rates Russian mobile operators
within the network.

The Ministry came out with recommendations for mobile operators to revise
its tariff policy and to reduce the cost for their services.

During the meetings of the Council of the operators, it was decided to
reconsider, first of all, the level of tariffs for passage of telephone traffic
between the networks of cellular operators. According to operators, high
interest rates to "interconnect" - is one of the reasons for excessive tariffs.

It is indicated that the cost of "interconnect" between mobile operators in
Kazakhstan today is KZT19.98 (4.5 times higher than in Russia (KZT4-5), in
2.7 times higher than in Turkey (KZT7.4), 1.5 -2.5 times higher than in the EU
(KZT9-16.7).

"Interconnect" - a fee for joining the network of another operator.

Council operators of Kazakhstan - an advisory body under the Ministry of
Communications and Information. It includes the heads of all the companies
that provide telecommunications services. In the framework of general
meetings, usually reported their problems and discuss solutions. Meetings are
held on a monthly basis.

[2010-09-09]