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Analysts and content providers argue that development of text messaging and other non-voice mobile services is slowed down by the low levels of internet development in the country. iKS-Consulting estimates that by end of 2007 market for additional services in Kazakhstan mobile phone sector reached $120 mln., which is 8,5% of all profits in this sector. In comparison to Russia and Europe these estimates are low and this indicates that Kz mobile sector is yet at early development stage. SMS leads the structure of VAS services in KZ (VAS include non-voice advanced messaging services). Other services include: call-forwarding, conference connection, call-wait, balance forward, CRBT, internet access (EDGE), mobile data transfer (GPRS), MMS, access to mobiule content through SMS, MMS, IVR, USSD. One of the obstacles for greater use of the mentioned services is the low technical knowledge of the users, and low level of Internet use in country overall. If the users of SMS in the country account for a little more than 50%, Internet users through mobile phone are 5%. Other factors include the level of awareness of the variety of services. At the same time providers claim that the tariffs for Internet are reducing and more users are buying the new cell phones that allow utilizing more services. Source: CNews, 25.02.08 Link to article in Russian: http://cnews.kz/news/top/index.shtml?2008/02/25/104300