Mobile Content Russia

Russian backed Indian mobile network operator, Sistema Shyam Teleservices (SSTL) has launched its CDMA network Tamil Nadu, Chennai and Pondicherry, under the MTS brand. The company outlined plans for a US$5 billion investment over the next five years, and expects to list on the local stock-exchange by the end of next year.

The firm is controlled by Russia's Sistema, which has built up a 73 percent stake in the Indian operator. Sistema also controls the Russian and CIS operator, MTS and licensed the brand to be used in India last year.

Polystar OSIX, a supplier of OSS/BSS solutions, has announced that MTS Uzbekistan has placed an order with it for Interconnect, Network and Service Performance Management. Under the terms of the agreement, MTS Uzbekistan will deploy Polystar Interconnect Peering Assurance, Network and Service Assurance solutions to cover legacy, as well as GPRS, VoIP and UMTS technologies.

Jupiter's Crystallizer module will enable users to work with the visualisation techniques and have an instant access to usage and performance information for voice, messaging and data services from the customer and network perspectives.

MTS (Mobile TeleSystems) announces its consolidated US GAAP financial results for the three months (unaudited) and full year ended December 31, 2008.

Consolidated revenues up 24.2% y-o-y to $10,245 million due to subscriber growth and increasing contribution from voice and data usage Consolidated OIBDA up 21.7% to $5,140 million y-o-y with 50.2% OIBDA margin due to continued revenue growth and cost control Consolidated net income down 6.8% y-o-y to $1,930 million due to non-cash FOREX loss through US GAAP translation of US dollar-denominated debt Free cash-flow positive with $2,148 million for the full year 2008 due to the overall revenue growth of the Group

Key Corporate and Industry Highlights:

J'son & Partners reports that in February 2009 the number of registered SIM cards in Russia reached 190.4 million. Penetration rate in Russia increased to 134%, in Moscow region – to 185%. Compound subscribers base increased by 1.1 million (0.56%) in February 2009. During February 2009 monthly subscribers base growth decreased by 44% since February 2008.

During last 12 months compound user base of Russian operators increased by 23.9 mln. subscribers, or 14%. In March 1, 2009 MegaFon took the first place in growth figures – its subscriber base grew by 7 mln. VimpelCom (which operates under the Beeline trademark) got the second position, adding 6.6 new subscribers. The third place went to MTS with 6.4 new subscribers.

MTS Uzbekistan, 100% subsidiary of JSC Mobile TeleSystems, announces that it has initiated a trial launch of mobile TV service.

The service operates in UMTS 3G network and is based on the TV services license issued by Uzbek Communication and Information Agency. MTS Uzbekistan together with Uzbekistan National Television and Radio Broadcasting Company has started broadcasting two channels «Uzbekistan» and «TV Markaz» in trial mode.

MTS Uzbekistan 3G network was commercially launched in December, 2008. To date operator offers paid 3G services in five cities – Tashkent, Samarkand, Bukhara, Urgench, and Khiva. Initially, subscribers located in 3G network coverage zone were able to use mobile services such as Videozvonok (videocall) and Skorostnoy Internet 3G (high-speed mobile internet).

MTS, the largest mobile networld operator in Russia and the CIS, announces that its consolidated subscriber base reached 91.77 million users on February 28, 2009. During February,

MTS consolidated subscriber base increased by 0.4 million subscribers with 340 thousand subscribers added in Russia.

(1) Note that MTS owns a 49% stake in Mobile TeleSystems LLC, a mobile operator in Belarus, which is not consolidated.

The Russian government is reported to be preparing to take an indirect stake in an Indian mobile phone network, local media reports have suggested. According to a copy of the government budget, Russia has set aside 23.7 billion rubles "for acquiring shares in the joint venture Shyam Telelink," - a new Indian mobile phone network.

A source close to the deal told Kommersant the funds would go to buying a 20 per cent stake in Sistema Shyam TeleServices

The firm is controlled by Russia's Sistema, which has built up a 73 percent stake in the Indian operator. Sistema also controls the Russian and CIS operator, MTS.

The newspaper reported that the deal would enable Sistema to retain a majority stake in the Indian operator, and Russia would buy the shares as part of a plan to settle New Delhi's outstanding Soviet-era debt to Moscow.

MTS-Ukraine has reported the results of mobile content operations in the second half of 2008. TOP 5 content-providers are: i-Free-Ukraine, Jump Ukraine, INFON-Ukraine, Iricom-Ukraine, A1 Ukraine.

1. i-Free Ukraine
2. Jump Ukraine
3. Infon Ukraine
4. Iricom Ukraine
5. A1 Ukraine
6. Silver Polygraph
7. Playfon Ukraine
8. Telegames Mediagroup

MTS signs a management agreement with the majority shareholder of the Svyaznoy group of companies, Maxim Nogotkov, that assigns a team of top managers from Svyaznoy to supervise MTS retail network.

The three-year agreement provides for the transfer of Svyaznoy management expertise in running mobile retail networks, including business practices, IT solutions and other skills critical for the effective development of the MTS retail network.

RTK CJSC, a company wholly owned by MTS, will be charged with managing MTS retail network. Mr. Sergey Rumyantsev, the former executive vice-president of Svyaznoy, will serve as RTK CJSC general director. He will be joined by 13 top managers from Svyaznoy.

The largest Russian mobile network operator MTS and Russian news and information agency RIA Novosti have announced the launch of ICB service MTS Novosti. MTS Novosti service, based on Interactive Cell Broadcast technology, provides targeted distribution of text pop-ups with news headlines for main categories – «Men», «Women», «Business», and «Young People».

Each delivery includes a list of theme news blocks – Main News, Sport, Movies, Music, Games Previews, Science, Current Events Guide, Traffic Jams, Weather, Diets, Love Advice, and Horoscope. Mobile editorial office RIA Novosti delivers about 380 news messages to the special resource 24/7. On WAP-site MTS Novosti users can read whole news articles, view photos and watch videos.