Unwired Afghanistan
A nationwide mobile network is under development, and the country's first 'Net cafe is online and operational:[New Zealand telecom company Argent Networks] will develop a billing system for the GSM mobile network set up in June by the Afghan Wireless Communications Company, a joint venture between US company Telephone Systems International and the Afghan Ministry of Communications.
Back from Kabul after closing the deal with AWCC, Argent chief executive Chris Jones said demand for mobile phones had skyrocketed as Afghans adjusted to a life free of oppressive Taleban rule.
"There's chaos at the Ministry of Communications, with people queuing for phones and recharge cards. There's a concentration of expats, but Afghan demand is big in comparison." he said.
Afghanistan's telecoms infrastructure has been shattered by years of war, so communications are having to be built from the ground up. Wireless technology is the cheapest and easiest means of connecting the country to the outside world.
Jones said mobile phones in Afghanistan connected to cell sites which in turn linked to one of two satellites being used by AWCC. Under the deal, Argent will extend its billing platform for wireless internet services which are planned for Kabul and other main centres.
The first internet cafe has gone live at the Intercontinental Hotel. The former Islamic administration run by the Taleban banned the internet, but exiled Afghans have been active in maintaining online communities. Afghanistan has no postal service to send monthly telephone bills, so the new wave of mobile users buy pre-paid calling cards to get connected.
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