Having taken into account the interests of local communication users and the need to make the transition to the new tariff system as convenient as possible, OJSC North West Telecom has decided to reduce the unlimited tariff plan for individual subscribers in the North West region by on average more than 20% as compared to the limit set by the Federal Tariff Service (see the press release of 15 November   2006 ).

Therefore, the monthly payment from 1 February 2007 by the individual users who will have chosen the "unlimited" line rental tariff plan (with an unlimited number of local connections) will amount to:

- in the northern regions of the North West Federal District (the Murmansk and Arkhangelsk Regions, the Republics of Karelia and Komi) – 330 roubles (reduced by 21%);

- in St Petersburg and the central regions (the Vologda, Kaliningrad, Leningrad, Novgorod and Pskov Regions) – 295 roubles (19% reduction for the NWFD regions, 25% for St Petersburg).

The new local tariffs are introduced from 1 February 2007, which provides for a two months transitional period when OJSC NWT subscribers can learn about the adopted tariffs and choose the most advantageous payment option.

Where there is no technical capacity to establish call duration, the subscribers will continue paying under the line rental tariffs. In this case the respective line rental charge will be increased by on average 11.9% and will be between 210 and 240 roubles, depending on the region.

To exercise their right to choose a tariff plan in accordance with Clause 124 of the "Provisions for Local, Intrazonal, Long Distance and International Telephone Communication" (approved by Resolution of the RF Government No.310 of 18 May 2005) subscribers have to conclude with OJSC NWT an agreement supplementary to the current contract for the provision of telecommunication services.

If a subscriber for any reason has not concluded the supplementary agreement, from 1 February 2007 s/he will continue paying for local telephone services under the current contract for the provision of telecommunication services. Since this contract envisages line rental charges, the subscriber will be put on the "unlimited" tariff plan (in accordance with the RF Civil Code). However, if the current contract has a time-based payment system (for example, in the Republic of Karelia), then the subscriber will continue paying under the time-based tariff after 1 February 2007.

For subscribers' convenience and in order to reduce their need to contact the Customer Service Centres directly, OJSC NWT will send out the supplementary agreements to all its subscribers in December. The letter will include two copies of the supplementary agreement to the telecommunication services contract and an information sheet with a description of the new tariffs and a guide to filling in the supplementary agreement.

OJSC NWT will extend the working hours of the Customer Service Centres and enquiry services; create new positions for conclusion and processing of the supplementary agreements at other OJSC NWT units (for example at PBXs) and certain public locations; make it possible for senior citizens and disabled persons who cannot visit the Service Centres to have an OJSC NWT employee come to their place in order to conclude the supplementary agreement.

All the customer services of all the branches of OJSC NWT are ready to comment on the currently ongoing changes in the payment system and answer customers' questions. To inform the subscribers we are using the Company's Internet websites and portals, mass media, outdoor advertising, hot lines and the autoinformer (calling subscribers in order to deliver a short message on the new local and intrazonal tariff system).