A major financing deal, announced this week, aims to fund an upgrade that will see the Tcell mobile network in Tajikistan enhanced in both quality and accessibility.
The Asian Development Bank (ADB), a leading multilateral development bank supporting inclusive, resilient and sustainable growth across Asia and the Pacific, and Indigo Tajikistan Closed Joint Stock Company, owner of Tcell, have signed a US$30 million equivalent local currency financing agreement to expand and modernise mobile connectivity in Tajikistan.
The project marks ADB's first non-sovereign loan in the country. The bank’s website explains that the loan will finance capital expenditures under the borrower's investment programme to expand and upgrade the mobile network in Tajikistan. Specifically, the company will procure and install new telecommunication equipment to increase the number of 4G sites by modernising existing 2G and 3G sites and overall data transfer capacity.
The Tcell Mobile Network Expansion Project, as it is known, will enhance the quality and accessibility of telecommunication services across Tajikistan, benefiting underserved rural areas where over 70% of the population resides. The project will also involve the installation of energy-efficient technologies.
Tcell is Tajikistan’s leading digital communications provider, serving millions of subscribers with mobile, data, and enterprise solutions.
ADB Country Director for Tajikistan Ko Sakamoto says: “Through our collaboration with Tcell, we are not only enhancing connectivity by improving telecommunication infrastructure, but most importantly, supporting jobs and improving access to education, health care, and digital services.”
Tcell Chief Executive Officer Ozodkhon Davlatshoev adds: “The support from ADB will enable us to expand and modernise our infrastructure in line with the national digitalisation agenda and rising demand for connectivity. The funding will empower us to meet current market needs, while paving the way for introducing 5G in urban centres and significantly improving connectivity in remote rural areas across the country.”
Network upgrades in Tajikistan have been in the news more than once this year. In March we reported that Tcell’s rival MegaFon Tajikistan had switched on 60 new 4G base stations across the country as part of its efforts to enhance service quality.
