Moscow, Russia – December 18, 2012 – Rostelecom OJSC (the “Group”) (MICEX - RTS: RTKM, RTKMP; OTCQX: ROSYY), Russia’s national telecommunications operator, announces that it has successfully test launched its first 3G+ network in Perm Krai. The Company is actively building its network and from early next year, the Group’s customers in this region will be able to take full advantage of a mobile internet service which supports transmission speed up to 21 MB/s.

Rostelecom is building 3G networks in 27 Russian regions and expects to install over 8,000 base stations. Ericsson and Huawei have been selected as the network’s equipment suppliers and solutions providers. 

The Group’s 3G+ network in Perm Krai is being built to be LTE-ready, so that the Company can deploy its 4G (LTE) network after making minor modifications to its existing 3G+ network. Rostelecom obtained a federal licence to build its LTE-network in June 2012. In future, Rostelecom will build a multi-standard network in Prikamye which will combine the advantages of 2G, 3G and 4G networks.

The Group expects to launch its commercial 3G+ network in Perm Krai by the end of the first quarter of 2013. Rostelecom is the leading provider of mobile services in Prikamye and the launch of its 3G+ network will further strengthen its competitive position in the region. By providing high-speed data transmission, subscribers’ user experience is greatly enhanced, enabling them to browse the internet, use mobile maps and navigation, use social networks, mobile TV services, or simply when large volumes of data needs to be exchanged.

Rostelecom is building its 3G network in over 100 cities and towns of Prikamye. As part of the first stage, the Company plans to install over 400 base stations. The HSPA+ technology that Rostelecom uses to build its first network in Perm Krai, supports transmission speeds of up to 21 MB/s, with a possible increase of speed of up to 42 MB/s, which is why it is often referred to as a 3G+ network.

Rostelecom and its subsidiaries, NCC CJSC, BWC CJSC, ETC CJSC, Sky Link CJSC, Volgograd-GSM CJSC, AKOS CJSC and Wireless Information Technologies LLC, provide mobile services in 59 Russian regions to over 13.5 million subscribers.