VIVACELL EMPLOYEES LED BY THE GENERAL MANAGER RALPH YIRIKIAN VOLUNTEERED TO JOIN THE ZALINYANS AT THE CONSTRUCTION OF THEIR FAMILY HOUSE

arminfo
2008-08-08 12:36:00

ArmInfo. VivaCell, a subsidiary of Mobile TeleSystems OJSC (NYSE:
MBT)) announces that on August 8th, 2008, VivaCell General Manager,
staff members and Lori region deputy governor Aghvan Varderesyan
will be engaged in a volunteering activity in Gargar, Lori region
by participating in the construction works of the Zalinyans’ house
which is one out of 15 houses sponsored by the company this year.

In 2008 15 new houses will be built for families in need in 8 regional
communities of Armenia thanks to VivaCell support

It is more than 14 years that the Zalinyans – Aghabek, Armenuhi and
their four sons, live in "domik", a metal shipping container. It
was extremely difficult to raise four children in such deprecate
conditions. There was no sanitation system, kitchen and
water-lines. The natural lighting was poor.

Rainwater often leaked in. The ceiling got covered by mold spoiling the
air in the room. The family suffered from heat in summer and unbearable
cold in winter. The children often get cold and missed their classes

The family earns a living through farming- they grow potatoes, grain
and fodder. Aghabek also works as a manual laborer. However, their
income has not been enough to finish the half-built house that they
started in 1989, 19 years ago.

Thanks to VivaCell, Fuller Center for Housing and Armenian Habitat,
the family at last got the opportunity to finish their home and raise
their children in safe and decent conditions.

Back in 2007 thanks to the good will of VivaCell, 10 needy families
moved to their simple, decent and affordable houses before the Armenian
freezing winter started and to meet the New Year with rebuilt hope
and new dreams.

This year also, in line with its CSR commitment, VivaCell will
help 15 more families in 8 communities of Armenia to complete their
half-built houses and escape from the claws of poverty housing in the
regions. Currently these families live in metal containers, unfinished
houses, in houses in emergency conditions or in rented houses.

"Because we believe in the future of Armenia, and now we do certain,
tangible steps to make the dream of our compatriots a reality –
this is our answer to the question about why the leading mobile
communications operator of Armenia made a commitment to sponsor the
houses of 15 needy families", noted Ralph Yirikian, after which the
volunteers from VivaCell started their work.

VivaCell constantly supports the needy families of Armenia.

Fuller Center for Housing and Armenian Habitat are working to eliminate
poverty housing by providing long term, interest free loans and by
assisting with the volunteer work helping low-income families to
build simple, sustainable, affordable houses and renovate their houses.

VivaCell (K-Telecom CJSC) is the leading Armenian mobile operator,
providing a wide range of Voice and Data services. Mobile TeleSystems
OJSC (‘MTS’) is the largest mobile phone operator in Russia and the
CIS. Since June 2000, MTS’ Level 3 ADRs have been listed on the New
York Stock Exchange (ticker symbol MBT).