The battle for customers is hotting up in one of the world’s newest 3G markets.
Turkcell this week announced that its Ukrainian unit, which operates under the life:) brand, has officially launched 3G services, less than four months after the state awarded 3G licences.
Fellow licensee MTS earlier this month announced it has made 3G services available on its own network, having offered 3G by piggybacking on the network of incumbent Ukrtelecom’s TriMob subsidiary since February. Meanwhile, Kyivstar said it launched commercial services in the city of Lviv on Monday.
The race is now on as the three telcos seek to capitalise on pent-up demand for 3G services in the Ukraine.
Life:) hopes that the backing of Turkcell will give it an edge.
The Turkish operator started using three-carrier technology in its 3G network at the end of last year and says life:) will do the same.
"Life:) is a very important success story for Turkcell’s international presence and influence," said Kaan Terzioglu, CEO of Turkcell, in a statement.
"It will be our pilot project as Turkcell elevates its relevance in the region and raises its profile on the international scene," Terzioglu said.
