Mobile TeleSystems (NYSE:MBT), Russia’s largest mobile operator, is pleased to announce that today the company is commencing commercial operations in Chelyabinsk.
The launch of the new GSM network is in line with MTS’ strategy to be operational in all 50 regions of Russia for which the Company holds licences by the year-end. Chelyabinsk is now the 42nd region of Russia in which subscribers can enjoy MTS’ services. The city of Chelyabinsk is one of the largest cities of Russia with a population of approximately 1.1 million. The Chelyabinsk region, which is located in the Urals district, is an advanced industrial region of Russia with a total population of over 3.6 million. The mobile penetration in the region is approximately 3%, which potentially provides MTS with a tremendous opportunity to grow the market and build its market share. MTS is currently operational in all regions of the Urals (which has a total population of approximatley 20.5 million), except for Orenburg and Kurgan, where the Company is currently building networks. MTS’ current subscriber base in the district is approximately 321,000. Overall, MTS services over 4.8 million people and its licence footprint covers a population of approximately 106 million of which 10 million live in the neighbouring country of Belarus.
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For further information contact:
MTS Investor Relations Department
Andrey Braginski
tel.: +7 (095) 766-01-03
e-mail: ir@mts.ru |
Some of the information in this press release may contain projections or other forward-looking statements regarding future events or the future financial performance of MTS, as defined in the safe harbor provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. We wish to caution you that these statements are only predictions, and that actual events or results may differ materially. We do not intend to update these statement to conform them to actual results. We refer you to the documents MTS files from time to time with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including the Company’s Form 20-F. These documents contain and identify important factors, including those contained in the section captioned “Risk Factors” in our Form 20-F. These factors could cause the actual results to differ materially from those contained in our projections or forward-looking statements, including, among others, potential fluctuations in quarterly results, our competitive environment, dependence on new service development and tariff structures; rapid technological and market change, acquisition strategy, risks associated with telecommunications infrastructure, risks associated with operating in Russia, volatility of stock price, financial risk management, and other risk factors. |
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