This is a really exciting development. South Ossetia is still rebuilding after the 2008 war, and the launch of a 4G network is an encouraging sign for the future. MegaFon has a monopoly on the market in South Ossetia, which is disappointing and says a lot about the territory’s relationship with Russia. Still, I consider this a positive move forward.
On the other hand, why does the US not have a nationwide 4G network as a standard?
Russia’s MegaFon has announced the commercial launch of Long Term Evolution (LTE) services in South Ossetia. The new 4G network supports mobile broadband at maximum download speeds of up to 50Mbps. ‘Today, MegaFon in South Ossetia is an innovative operator in mobile data transfer. We have already made mobile internet on 3G technologies truly affordable for the residents of the republic,’ said the company’s CEOOleg Savchuk, adding: ‘The infrastructure of our network is very well prepared for the transition to a new technological level. The launch of the 4G network offers our customers a new quality of internet service and access to all the currently known high-tech internet services.’ Outside of LTE coverage areas, subscribers with 4G-enabled devices will be able to continue using mobile broadband on the company’s 3G networks.
In April 2009 MegaFon completed the dual purchases of Ostelecom and Aquafon, a pair of mobile network operators situated in the breakaway republics of South Ossetia and Abkhazia, respectively, notes TeleGeography’s GlobalComms Database. The Russian cellco paid RUB935 million (USD28.5 million) for a 100% stake in Debton Investment Ltd, which owned 51% stakes in both Ostelecom and Aquafon. In March 2010 MegaFon increased its stake in Ostelecom from 51% to 75%.
NYU World Comm 