CATEL IS THE FIRST CDMA OPERATOR IN AZERBAIJAN
CATEL JV INTRODUCES THE THIRD GENERATION WIRELESS TELECOMMUNICATION SYSTEM

Exclusive interview of Chief Executive Director of Joint Venture Catel, Mr. Sadig Humbatov.

Mr. Humbatov, Catel JV operates in the Azerbaijan telecommunication market by about 7 years. Has stated period justified your hopes from the goals point of view that were set ahead of company?

- CATEL JV has provided with wireless telecommunication services in Apsheron peninsula, including Baku and Sumgayit since 1998 on the base of license given by the Ministry of Communication of Azerbaijan. JV established between Azerbaijan and American Consortium OMCL on parity base. Now, CATEL JV has high qualified staff totally 120.

Whereas CATEL was beginning its mission there has already existed some telephone operators. For taking of place in the telecommunication market CATEL offered to its subscribers new wireless digital telecommunication connection that meets to all modern standards.

From the beginning of activity CATEL JV considered of the service introducing which provide the subscribers with reliability and access. We can list them the operative subscribers' service, simplifying of documentation, different rates packet corresponding to subscribers' required requirements, presenting of many basic and additional services, saving of telephone number across the subscriber in case of address changing and so on.

Since August 2003 CATEL JV introduced in Azerbaijan the CDMA system. So, there were recognized the telephones of the third generation CDMA made by Huawei.

The system was so elaborated that promote the using of both cellular and stationary set.

During the shortest time CATEL JV's coverage zone has been significantly expanded and today the users of CDMA cellular are able to use the high qualitative services in the territory of Baku, Absheron peninsula and also in Sumgayit. CATEL JV plans till the end of year to coverage by its services the majority regions of Azerbaijan.

We have recently opened new telephone station designed for 50.000 subscribers, at the same time there were ordered the enough quantity of base stations for providing with communication in whole territory of Azerbaijan.

The first station will be set in Gandja. For its realization there has already received the required permission on behalf of the Ministry of Communication and Information Technologies. Until the end of year CDMA system will be introduced in 10 more regions of the country.

At present, CATEL JV provides its services of wireless telephone through terminals and telephone set correspond to different demand and terms. The following terminals are included: fixed CDMA adjustable for address, 3G CDMA stationary (table), portable 3G CDMA for autos and portable (pocket) 3G CDMA. Through the portables 3G CDMA terminals the subscribers will be able to use telephone, internet - DATA-services and the location does not matter and within the coverage zone.

Which operations are fulfilled by Catel for improvement of conversations quality and internet connections of subscribers?

- At initial stages Catel provided with services through wireless equipment which required direct line of sight between the Base Station and subscriber's terminal. In result of skyscraper construction there were some problems with providing of services via testate equipment. Since 2003 Catel updated its network due to equipment of the third generation - 3G CDMA that gave the opportunity to make present the service in whole Absheron peninsula, including Baku and Sumgayit. This network does not require the line of sight, so subscriber can use own terminal outdoor and indoor.

The base of CDMA technologies provided with presenting of high quality voice and internet services. Except of others there exists at CDMA system a high technological measure for increasing of voice transmission quality. At the same time our specialists operate under the network optimization that also permit in making better of voice and internet services quality.

Since 2003 in the telecommunication market of Azerbaijan was introduced new services though which along with voice we can render for consumers the high qualitative internet connection. At present company provides with DATA services up to 153 Kbit/s.

Presently, Catel JV launched part of numbers with following indexes 447, 448 and 418. From subscribers quantity increasing we will go on the operation by getting of new indexes.

Which successes have your company achieved during last year? What are the first feelings from level expansion of provided services via CDMA?

- Last year was very remarkable for us. Company's subscribers quantity in 2004 reached 15.000. In 2004 3G CDMA system's opportunities were expanded. In result 67% of total level of selling made 3G CDMA terminals. It proves that subscribers prefer new system and agree with its quality and services level.

I would like to pay your attention that the level of 3G CDMA terminals' electromagnetic radiation is low that permit in providing of ecologically safety services. The world is aware about the technique and ecology preferences of CDMA system. Because of stated preferences the United States and Europe transmitted to the system. Taking into consideration that sovereign Azerbaijan accepted the integration course to Europe the new system has a real chance of development in our Republic.

CDMA is a new system, what will it be able to offer for subscribers in future?

- Due to CDMA system the subscriber is able to use the new services. In base of new system there are many extra services which will be presented to our subscribers. For instance, Online Games service will let at the same time to subscribers in future located in different places to play the game. These games will be located in our server and both of CATEL users will have opportunity to play the same game, correspondence with each other and make the video conference through the set with video camera. At present we operate over it mutually with company-supplier.

In the nearest time CATEL JV will present to users of vehicular communication in addition of already existed the new access and profitable services in comparison with the other working in Azerbaijan operators of vehicular communication. For example, there is planned in the midyear the enlarging of opportunities of provided SMS, MMS and some other services.

We render to subscribers the services regarding the transmission of sound, facsimile, internet and modem connection. Future company's plans are the operations which necessary for launching and expansion of roaming. The system is accessed the address change, prohibition of incoming and outgoing calls.

CDMA system is inherited the technology possibilities of speed dial of subscriber's number from three figures. CDMA technologies are also used the PTT system (push-to-talk). The stated service will be commissioned during the nearest three-four months. In future we plan the further expansion of services within the frame of CDMA system. We believe that in the nearest time these services will be claimed by our consumers.

How the rates for negotiation with using of CDMA network are profitable?

- Initially, I would like mention that terminals have already been brought to Azerbaijan and they operate both in GSM and CDMA system. Basically these are portable telephones. But they are not able to operate simultaneously but it is possible the transmission from one to another.

Concerning the rates then the international calls are fulfilled on the level of approved Rates Counsel and the Ministry of Communication and IT. With VAT the minute of conversation with city telephones is 294 AZM, the feedback - 147 AZM. Inside of CDMA system the minute of conversation with VAT is 125 AZM.

At present, the subscriber does not need to come to CATEL's subscriber department for payment of company's services and increasing of its balance - the payment is implemented via International Bank of Azerbaijan and in the nearest time the process will be fulfilled through all banks and post departments of the country.

Besides CATEL company provides to subscribers with debit express-cards due to which the subscriber will be able to increase its balance. For execution of the operation subscriber will need to call to stated at express card number and according to manual to dial the stated at the card 14-marking code. Express-cards at 50.000, 100.000 and 200.000 AZM are available in post departments, banks and etc. JV subscribers are able in future to fulfill the payment through the Internet. For its implementation is necessary to visit the CATEL's URL (www.catel.az.com).

As we aware CATEL uses the other systems of leading telecommunication technologies too?..

- One of them is wireless communication system MultiGain Wireless (MGW). This network is ideal mean of communication in the city conditions with overladen cable opportunities, new building of housing estate, separate territories where is impossible to provide with communication via simple telephone line, at meeting, exhibitions and so on. The utilized CATEL JV wireless system of communication MGW was made by Alvarion with using of high figures technologies.

Moreover, company renders the services of cable communication. So, there are used at ALCATEL and Huawei stations the equipment RSU, RSM and UTStarcom. In thickly habitable territories the scyscrapers are equipped with telephone cables and through the Base Station the subscribers receive the service of simple telephone cable. The subscriber utilizing this type of service receive the high qualitative telephone services, facsimille, modem connection in 56 Kbit/s, dedicated line and so on. The Base Stations are linked with CATEL office via microwave radio. New system is available for subscribers locatyed in such settlements of Baku City as Yeni Yasamal, Biladgary, Garachukhur, I.Ismailov and Hovsany.