DUSHANBE, April 9, 2010, Asia-Plus  -- Tajik cellular operators have organized SMS-actions to support the construction of the Rghun hydroelectric power plant (HPP).

TT-Mobile, a closed joint-stock company operating under the MLT brand, has presented shares in Roghun of face value in 100 somoni and other gifts to its six most active clients in Sughd province.

Aziz Khairulloyev, a spokesman for MLT, says the award ceremony for the winners of the SMS-action to support Roghun’s construction took place in Khujand on April 9.  Any MLT’s client may take part in the SMS-action to support the Roghun hydroelectricity project.

Besides, the company has put 10 “platinum” mobile numbers, costing US$1,500 each, on auction.  Money made from the auction will be transferred to Roghun’s account, the spokesman said.  The auction was launched on December 18, 2009 and one number has been sold to this day.

MLT/TT Mobile that has some 18 percent of the telecommunications market was established on September 3, 2001.  Since October 5, 2001, when the company was registered under the brand of MLT (Mobile Lines of Tajikistan), it has provided cellular communications services in the GSM standard.  The company covers all regions of Tajikistan, operating in 40 cities and districts.

MLT/TT Mobile is a joint venture between the Russian cellular operator MegaFon and Tajikistan’s national fixed-line operator, Tajiktelecom.  MegaFon owns 75 percent of the shares and Tajiktelecom holds a 25 percent interest in MLT/TT-Mobile.  MLT/TT Mobile was the first cellular operator in Tajikistan to offer its clients the 3G standard in 2005.

In the meantime, 33 most active clients of Tajik cellular operator Babilon-Mobile have won Certificate of Shares in Roghun of face value in 500 somoni each.

The SMS-action to support the Roghun project was launched by Babilon-Mobile in cooperation with the content-provider, Voice Interactive, on December 26, 2009.  The award ceremony for the winners of the first quarter of this year will take place in Dushanbe on April 10.  The action will last till December 31, 2010 and the award ceremonies will be held quarterly.      

Babilon-Mobile accounts for some 40 percent of users of mobile telecommunications services in the country.