Mobile Content Russia

VimpelCom (which operates under the Beeline trademark) has announced test launch of mobile DVB-H TV service in Moscow city, capital of Russia.

Mobile TV service Beeline provides its users with the ability to watch common TV channels on mobile. Users can watch eleven channels. While service operates in beta mode, it is available free of charge.

Russian mobile advertising agency MobileDirect has offered master classes on mobile marketing in high schools, and recently has given the first lecture to students of political science faculty in Moscow State University.

Ten years ago special courses on «big internet» were read both to students and teachers in a trial mode. There were neither student books, nor lecture material. Today the history repeats itself with mobile internet. The significant example of the western market and stable mobile market growth in Russia let us say that marketing experts of new generation should have a good knowledge about mobile internet capabilities, so that they could use it in active products promotion on the market.

MTS, the largest cellular network operator in Russia and CIS, has launched the first phase of its 3G network in Moscow. The operator is following a strategy of covering the largest business and shopping centres with HSDPA networks.

The first indoor network was launched in Moscow's Expocentre, one of the largest exhibition centers in Eastern Europe. MTS has covered the whole Expocentre exhibition space with and HSPA network, providing customers with data download speeds of up to 3.6 Mbit/s.

MTS is planning to launch additional 3G networks in the 35 largest business and shopping centers in Moscow in 2009, including the Domodedovo International Airport. MTS will also launch indoor 3G networks in the offices of the largest corporations based in Moscow. 3G services will also become available in several cities in the Moscow region, including Noginsk and Orekhovo-Zuyevo.

MTS, the largest cellular network operator in Russia and CIS, announces that it has initiated the testing of outdoor 3G radio coverage in Moscow. The goal of the trial is to confirm the possibility and conditions of joint operation of outdoor 3G radio coverage and radio electronic means of military application. The trials are to be finished by June 2009.

Also, MTS informed that it has received expert findings from Main RF Center confirming the possibility of using base 3G stations in the buildings and houses of Moscow, as well as in the subway and Moscow region. Particularly, expert report defines the parameter the base 3G stations should have, concerning their power, height and antennas' direction. The findings will allow MTS to get permission for commercial launch of 3G network in the mentioned area and begin offering 3G services to its customers.

Comstar, Russian telecom operator, and Intel announced the agreement to create the first mobile WiMAX network in Russia. The first WiMAX network will be launched in Russian capital Moscow. The network will be operational by the end of 2008 and will cover the whole city. Intel will provide Comstar technical devices with embedded WiMAX solutions.