Mobile firm MTS back in Asian state

ISTANBUL

Russian phone operator MTS has resumed operations in Turkmenistan, only a few days after its assets were seized in Uzbekistan.

The activities of MTS in Turkmenistan were stopped in December 2010. The mobile phone services of the company have now re-started and subscribers will be able to use the same phone lines that they used two years ago, the official website of MTS said, according to Anatolia news agency.

MTS used to hold 80 percent share in the mobile phone services market. It signed a deal with Türkmen Telekom for five years and has an option to extend the deal for five more years. MTS will give 30 percent of its monthly profits to the Türkmen Telekom.

Meanwhile, Uzbekistan authorities on Aug. 31 ordered the seizure of all the property of Uzdunrobita, a subsidiary of MTS, in the latest move in a tax dispute, the company said, according to Agence France-Presse. Uzbekistan has hit the subsidiary with a massive tax claim, and earlier this month a court cancelled all its operating licenses, saying it had been operating illegally and evading taxes.