Bashcell (merged with MTS)

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BashUNICEL was formed in early 1995 although the company did not start its commercial operations until 1998. It operates an AMPS 800 network that covers Ufa, the capital of Bashkir. Luncent Technologies was the equipment supplier. The main investor was Global Telesystems Group (50%), through its subsidiary Vostok Mobile. The local partners in the joint venture were Ufa State Aviation Technology University (25%) and Telecommunication systems (25%). The company owned a 10 year license. As of 2006, BASHCELL provided cellular communications services on GSM-1800 and DAMPS standards in the Bashkortostan republic and fixed-line communication services in Ufa, Bashkortostan's capital. In Bashkortostan, Vimpelcom and MTS each occupied 39% of the local cellular market, while Megafon had about 20%, Bashcell had 1% and two other operators had 1% between them. In December 2007, MTS acquired 100% of Bashcell for a consideration of US$38mn, including the assumption of US$32mn in debt. http://bashcell.com/ http://www.unicel.natm.ru/about.htm http://www.bashkortostan.mts.ru/company/ (this is one od Bashcell's rivals)