STOCKHOLM -- TeliaSonera AB, the leading telecommunications company in the Nordic and Baltic region, has on July 16, 2007, closed the MCT Corp. (MCT) acquisition announced on July 9. TeliaSonera acquired 100 percent of the shares in MCT, a US based company with majority controlling shareholdings in three Eurasian GSM operators in Uzbekistan and Tajikistan and a small minority interest in the leading GSM operator in Afghanistan, for an enterprise value of approximately SEK 2.0 billion (USD 300 million).

“This transaction underlines TeliaSonera’s strategy to be the leading Eurasian mobile operator and strengthens our commitment and presence in the region. Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and Afghanistan, with a combined population of approximately 67 million, growing economies and relatively low mobile penetration levels, provide an excellent growth opportunity for TeliaSonera in Eurasia”, says Tero Kivisaari, Head of TeliaSonera’s business area Eurasia.

The four GSM operators are:

TeliaSonera AB will consolidate the operations in Uzbekistan and Tajikistan as of the closing. The operation in Afghanistan will be reported as a financial investment.

TeliaSonera is already present in the region through its subsidiary Fintur Holdings, with majority holdings in leading mobile operators in Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, Georgia and Moldova.

Telia Company