Baku, November 04, 2005

Azercell Telecom JV, leader of Azerbaijan telecommunication market, passes to the next stage of development of high-speed data transfer infrastructure on the basis of latest technology EDGE. Having successfully tested the advanced technology for the first time in the republic, Azercell Telecom is going to put EDGE into commercial operation throughout the country.

Enhanced Data Rates for Global Evolution (EDGE) technology, which is also known as EGPRS (enhanced GPRS), allows transferring data via mobile network fourfold faster than via GPRS. According to results of tests held in Azercell Telecom network, data transfer speed reached 200 kb/sec. From now on Azercell’s subscribers could assess in practice advantages of EDGE: quick exchange of melodies and pictures, faultless work of WAP and other modern services. The users need no additional options — new cell phone models with EDGE support automatically select EDGE instead of GPRS!

Mobile internet and other services work better with EDGE and cost as much as with GPRS. While developing technologies, Azercell Telecom does not only improve quality of existing services, but also gives subscribers real advantages for the future. EDGE opens way to perspective services, such as mobile video telephony, new types of mobile content and other interesting innovations, which is a fantastic for Azerbaijan right now.

During the project until end 2005 EDGE will cover the whole territory serviced by Azercell Telecom in Baku and Absheron peninsula. In 2006 it is planned to cover many cities and districts of the republic, airports and recreation areas with EDGE. By 2007 EDGE will cover 100% network of Azercell Telecom in Azerbaijan.

Introduction of EDGE will be carried out simultaneously with construction of new base stations.

With EDGE application Azercell Telecom has completed the period of privileged commercial operation GPRS and fixed single tariff for both services. But at the same time operator decreased the interval of tariff of services from 50 to 10 KB.

Therefore, from November 1, 2005 tariffs for EDGE and GPRS will be the following:

• Post-paid Azercell subscribers: 10 KB= 50 AZM/ 0.01 AYM (new manat) (less VAT)
• SimSim: 10 KB = 3 units
• GencSim: 10 KB = 2 units

EDGE IN AZERCELL TELECOM JV’s NETWORK:

• Azercell Telecom JV has become the first mobile operator in Azerbaijan, which opened access to a high-speed data transfer via EDGE technology.
• At present there are about 30 cell phone models supporting EDGE made by Nokia, SonyEricsson, Motorola and other companies at the local market. According to manufacturers, by 2006 majority of new cell phone models will support EDGE.
• By the results of tests held this summer, in absolute majority of cases the best showings of speed and data transfer quality were registered in Azercell Telecom JV network. This has become possible owing to introduction of EDGE.