DUSHANBE, April 30, 2011, Asia-Plus — Tajik authorities plan to recall permits given to mobile phone operators for using radio-electronic means and network interconnections in border areas.
In an official order released on April 27, chairman of the Communications Service Beg Zuhurov notes that permits that had previously been given to mobile phone for using radio-electronic means and network interconnection in border areas will be recalled. Under this order, all external sources of communications used by commercial companies operating in Tajikistan must be disconnected beginning on May 1. The order also prohibits them from using international network interconnections, except interconnections through the national operator.
Mobile phone operators functioning in Tajikistan plan to apply the Communications Service for interpretation of the order. According to them, they do not yet know precisely what this order is about specifically.
The Tcell director general Bahriddin Najmiddinov supposes that it means that they will not be able to work through direct interconnections with Uzbekistan or Afghanistan, for example. “Most likely, this order applies to satellite communications,” said Najmiddinov, “In case of serious breakdown in fiber-optic cable, mobile phone operators use satellite communications. Under this order we will probably work only through the national operator.”
According to him, they lease fabric-optic channels from Tajiktelecom (Tajikistan’s fixed-line telecommunications network) up to Khorog and they are experiencing many difficulties as “mudslides are frequently carrying away poles and so forth.” “Therefore, if the order applies to the satellite communications it will seriously affect cellular communications services in Gorno Badakhshan,” the Tcell director general noted.
Ghaffour Irkayev, head of the Association of Tajik Mobile Communication Companies, says the Communications Service chairman has justified his order as aimed at providing national security and regulation of radio frequencies and radio-electronic means. He considers that the order contradicts all laws of the country, including the Constitution.
“Important moves of this kind must be discussed with all participants in the country’s cellular communications services market,” Irkayev said, noting that the Association is studying the document. He is sure that the order will cause serious problems in the communications sector.
