The news outlet IntelliNews reports that the Russian mobile communications provider “MTS-Turkmenistan” is dismantling equipment and cell towers in Ashgabat and is leaving Turkmenistan forever.
Let us recall that the cellular provider “MTS-Turkmenistan” curtailed its operations in late September 2017 after Turkmenistan had refused to extend the frequency use license.
According to IntelliNews, Turkmenistan again demanded that the percentage of payment from MTS revenues be increased.
Pursuant to the agreement signed in 2012, apart from taxes, the Russian communications provider obliged to pay 30% of the profit to its direct competitor represented by “Turkmentelecom”.
In July 2018 MTS filed a lawsuit against Turkmenistan to the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID) and estimated its losses at $750 million.
In response, a representative of the Turkmen side accused MTS of exerting psychological pressure.
In November 2018 it became known that MTS and Turkmenistan selected arbitrators in the International Court of Arbitrations.