February 18, 2009, Moscow: COMSTAR – United TeleSystems (JSC COMSTAR-UTS, LSE: CMST), the leading operator of integrated telecommunication solutions in Russia and the CIS, announces integration into its broadband Internet access network in Moscow (STREAM trade name) of IMP smart platform for message processing IMP by Bizanga (USA, supplier of the scalable multifunction platform for electronic mail and text message processing) to ensure carrier users’ protection against e-mail and message spam.

Considering expansion of the subscriber base and, consequently, increased IP traffic, COMSTAR-UTS has decided to integrate a solution that enables management of e-mail services and protection of users’ messages. Upon testing, the provider has selected IMP platform by Bizanga. This system has been chosen thanks to its scalability, possibility of integration with Yandex Spamooborona system, availability of the current spam filter and control and reporting capabilities. By way of integrating this platform, COMSTAR-UTS has reduced its costs on maintenance of the equipment required to support these services. Detailed statistics and reports generated by Bizanga IMP solution provides COMSTAR-UTS with complete data on subscribers’ activity level in using electronic mail and message exchange services.

“Before we integrated Bizanga IMP solution, we had to commission new servers to process an increased amount of data, – says Viktor Belov, Director for development of service platforms and networks of JSC COMSTAR-UTS. – Quick deployment of the platform enables creation of the system, the performance of which may be easily enhanced as required. Integration with the leading solution for spam protection by Yandex has enabled protection of our infrastructure and clients against information attacks”.

“As Russia sees the quickest growth in a number of Internet users among European countries, and this country has one of the biggest population in the world, Russian providers have to face unique challenges, – says Jerome Lecat, Director of Bizanga. – Our company provides solutions tailored to specific conditions in which our partners work”. By the end of quarter 3 of 2008, a number of subscribers of COMSTAR-UTS broadband Internet access (STREAM trademark, premium segment) in Moscow reached 688 thousand, having accrued 52% over a year.