The Universal Access Department of sector watchdog the Afghanistan Telecom Regulatory Authority (ATRA) has signed contracts with three cellcos for the deployment of 250 new mobile base transceiver stations (BTS) in remote and rural areas.
Under the agreements, the ATRA will provide USD19.2 million to Roshan for the installation of 137 sites, whilst Afghan Wireless Communications Company (AWCC) will receive funding totalling USD9.5 million to roll out 84 new BTS. Finally, state-backed Afghan Telecom (Aftel) will be handed USD3.4 million to deploy 29 sites.