Uzbektelecom earlier planned to launch its GSM network till the end of 2014.

Fayzullaev said launch delay is connected with failed tender for procurement of GSM equipment. He said that the tender, which was announced in July, was abolished as submitted proposals do not comply with tender terms, Noviy Vek reported.

Podrobno.uz reported quoting Fayzullaev that China’s ZTE and Huawei, as well as Finland’s Nokia submitted proposals, which do not comply with tender terms. He said that tender terms were changed and it will be re-announced in the end of September.

The company expects that supply of tender will start in the end of 2014. It is planned to create network for 2 million numbers in Tashkent, he added.

As earlier reported, Uzbektelecom was planning to launch GSM network on the base of its mobile operator UzMobile across Uzbekistan by 2018. The company will continue to develop CDMA-450 network, which it created in 2004.

The operator will install 3,900 base stations and 4,000 sets of radio relay equipment with total number capacity of 8 million numbers.

The project, with the estimated cost of US$500 million, will be financed due to loan of the State Development Bank of China for US$100 million and the resources of the Uzbek side.