Moscow and New York (September 3, 2008) - Open Joint Stock Company “Vimpel-Communications” (“VimpelCom” or the “Company”) (NYSE: VIP) announced today the commercial launch of a 3G network in certain Russian regions.

3G networks have been launched in four cities: Saint Petersburg, Nizhny Novgorod, Samara and Chelyabinsk. The networks currently cover the central and some of the most densely populated districts in these cities, and VimpelCom expects that during 2008 coverage will be extended to bedroom communities.

”While building the 3G network we are focusing on providing good indoor coverage for broadband Internet access. This is especially important in those Russian regions where broadband penetration is low and existing Internet technologies provide only low-speed connection,” said the Director for the Development of New Businesses Diana Samoshkina. ”Our 3G product is targeting not so much mobile subscribers as residential Internet users who will be able to access the web via our GSM/UMTS USB modems which work both in 3G and 2G networks.”

VimpelCom has introduced seven tariff plans which make broadband Internet access available to a wide range of users. 3G Internet will open new opportunities for high-speed data transfer and other 3G services for all VimpelCom customers.

VimpelCom plans to launch 3G networks in around 40 cities by the end of 2008.   

The VimpelCom Group consists of telecommunications operators providing voice and data services through a range of wireless, fixed and broadband technologies. The Group includes companies operating in Russia, Kazakhstan, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Georgia and Armenia, in territories with a total population of about 250 million. [The Group companies provide services under the "Beeline" brand.]  VimpelCom was the first Russian company to list its shares on the New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE"). VimpelCom's ADSs are listed on the NYSE under the symbol "VIP".