Moscow, Russian Federation – Mobile TeleSystems OJSC (“MTS” – NYSE: MBT), the largest mobile phone operator in Russia and the CIS, announces that it became the first and only Russian company to join the Mobile Marketing Association (MMA).

By joining the Mobile Marketing Association, MTS will reinforce its ability to partner and gain experience from the leading mobile marketing and advertising companies from around the world. The Company plans to collaborate with leading global experts to develop innovative mobile marketing solutions for the Russian and the CIS markets.

“MTS is actively developing mobile marketing and advertising solutions, and we recently launched several pilot projects,” said Mr. Asad Kondakji, Product Development Director at MTS. “A host of potential venues exist for the development of mobile marketing offerings, including our WAP portal, mobile games and location-based services. We are confident that our membership in the leading international association will allow us to bring the best of international experience and help further develop mobile marketing in our markets of operation.”

Select mobile marketing projects by MTS

In December 2007, MTS launched a mobile advertising project allowing subscribers to receive entertainment MMS with embedded advertising banners.

In January 2008, MTS launched its “SMS-sponsor” project that provided bonuses to the participating subscribers for incoming promotional text messages.

About Mobile Marketing Association

The Mobile Marketing Association (MMA) is the premier global non-profit trade association established to lead the growth of mobile marketing and its associated technologies. The MMA is an action-oriented organization designed to clear obstacles to market development, establish mobile media guidelines and best practices for sustainable growth, and evangelize the use of the mobile channel. The more than 700 member companies, representing over forty countries around the globe, include all members of the mobile media ecosystem. The Mobile Marketing Association’s global headquarters are located in the United States and it has regional chapters including North America (NA), Europe, Latin America (LATAM), Middle East & Africa (MEA) and Asia Pacific (APAC) branches. For more information, please visit www.mmaglobal.com.