Uzbek gov’t complains of MTS

ALMATY - The Associated Press

Authorities in Uzbekistan say they may strip a Russian-owned mobile communications company of its operating license, citing poor quality of service.

The Communications State Inspectorate in Uzbekistan said yesterday that it has received customer complaints about MTS-Uzbekistan.

The threat of the loss of its license adds to MTS-Uzbekistan’s woes as the company is also facing government investigations over alleged fraud.

Company director flees

Local media in Uzbekistan have reported that company director Bekhzod Akhmedov has fled the country pending investigation.

MTS-Uzbekistan is a subsidiary of Russia’s largest mobile operator, Mobile TeleSystems, and serves 9.5 million customers in the ex-Soviet Central Asian nation. There was no immediate comment from the company.