Russian Telecoms

Russian state takes over Svyazinvest

russiantelecoms — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 12:55:18 +0000

The plan in which an asset swap with Sistema would give the Russian state sole ownership of Svyazinvest is now approved.

AFK Sistema, which holds 25.1% in Svyazinvest through its unit OAO Comstar United TeleSystems, will transfer its stake to state development bank VEB. In return, state-run OAO Sberbank will waive a 26 billion ruble ($842 million) loan to Comstar, which will also get 28% of Moscow incumbent operator OAO MGTS.

In addition, Sistema will hand over 100% of mobile operator Sky Link to the government, which plans to create a fourth nationwide cellular provider under its Svyazinvest restructuring plan.

The transaction is expected to start within one month after all details have been worked out.

Megafon reveals 3G-suppliers

russiantelecoms — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 11:26:33 +0000

Megafon has announced equipment vendor Nokia Siemens Networks (NSN) as the winner of its tender for the right to supply and construct 3G networks for Megafon. NSN will supply at least 60% of 3G Node -B Base Stations out of the total tender volume before the end of 2010. Moreover, Huawei together with NSN will provide MegaFon’s staff with full technical support for the supplied equipment.

In total tender included five companies: Alcatel-Lucent, Ericsson, Nokia-Siemens, Huawei Technologies and ZTE.

Vimpelcom signs credit agreement with Sberbank

russiantelecoms — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 11:44:50 +0000

Vimpelcom has signed a RUR 10 billion credit line with Sberbank. The loan carries an interest rate of 15% per annum and is to be repaid in two equal installments in August 2012 and in April 2013.

VimpelCom says they intend to use the proceeds from the loan for refinancing of its existing indebtedness and development of VimpelCom’s core business.

Russian telcos

russiantelecoms — Mon, 07 Sep 2009 05:48:39 +0000

First some basics. The Russian Federation is dominated by three mobile operators – MTS, Vimpelcom and Megafon. As of Q2 2009 their mobile subscriber base were at 67m, 50m respectively 45m.

In addition there are four other groupings which have a significant mobile market share, but operate only at a regional level. Tele2 Russia being the largest among these with a subscriber base of 12m. The others are SMARTS, 4 regional operations owned by Svyazinvest and Skylink, a CDMA operation.