Moscow. November 5, 2003. OAO Mobile TeleSystems (NYSE: MBT), the biggest cellular telecoms operator in Russia and Eastern and Central Europe, now has more than 15 million subscribers [1]. A mere half-year ago, it only had exactly a third less. This spectacular guidepost was reached in time for celebrations marking the company’s ten years in the cellular telecoms business. MTS was registered on October 28, 1993, and was issued its first license for GSM Standard cellular phone services in the Moscow region on November 19, 1993. Today, MTS operates in the cellular telecoms markets of three countries – Russia (sprawling over 60 regions), Ukraine, and Belarus. All the three countries register continued growth in numbers of cellular telephone users. In spring 2003, MTS reported clearing the 10 million subscriber barrier, and another six months on the number of the company’s subscribers shot up by another 50 per cent. New categories of subscribes are irresistibly drawn to the company’s network by its high-quality services, economy rates, and a host of other services. “We are proud to be in the lead of the cellular telecoms providers in Russia and CIS countries. We lead our closest rivals in both subscriber numbers and key financial returns. We read still greater significance into the fact that MTS has steadily enjoyed the reputation of the most reliable and top-quality operator,” said Mikhail Susov, the company’s first vice president. MTS has 12.0 million subscribers in Russia and 2.7 million in Ukraine. An MTS joint venture provides cellular services to more than 300,000 subscribers in Belarus.

 _____________ [1] The total number of subscribers of OAO MTS and its subsidiaries and controlled companies, including subscribers of the SOOO Mobile TeleSystems and ZAO Primtelefon, in which MTS holds 49 per cent and 50 per cent of stock, respectively, and whose financial performance figures are not consolidated in the accounts of OAO MTS. ??? Mobile TeleSystems (MTS) is the biggest mobile telecoms operator in Russia and Central and Eastern Europe. Together with its subsidiaries and controlled companies, MTS provides services to more than 15 million subscribers. The 76 regions in Russia and also Belarus and Ukraine where MTS and its subsidiaries and controlled companies hold licenses for GSM Standard telecoms services have a total population of around 186.3 million. MTS has been listed under the MBT code on the New York Stock Exchange since June 2000. *** For more detail, contact: Andrei Braginsky External Relations Department ??? Mobile TeleSystems Tel: +7 095 9116553 E-mail: pr@mts.ru