It is the fifth 3G licence to be issued in Afghanistan and is expected to increase competition among telecoms companies and result in lower internet prices.
Existing 3G services are provided by Etisalat, MTN, Roshan and Afghan Telecom (Aftel), and approximately 40% of the Afghan population has access to internet services.
Afghanistan’s communications and IT minister, Amirzai Sangin, praised the development of mobile broadband in the country, and said that, “almost all the people” have access to mobile services.
The Afghan government is looking to increase coverage to 80% of the population within a year.
