MTS ESTABLISHES DIRECT CONNECTION BETWEEN ARMENIA, RUSSIA

PanARMENIAN.Net
May 14, 2010 – 14:14 AMT 09:14 GMT

Mobile Tele Systems (MTS, NYSE: MBT) has announced establishment of
a direct connection between Armenia and Russia, MSKIT.ru reported.

"Direct connection will ensure 10% reduction of traffic termination
costs and guarantee high quality of international voice traffic,"
said Evgeny Moskalev, MTS Director for Convergence.

MTS obtained a license for long distance communications in
2006. In November 2008, the company commissioned long distance
communication network and obtained a permit from the RF Ministry
of Telecommunications and Mass Media for internal and long distance
traffic transfer through its own network. As a result, it has become
possible for the company to establish direct connections with global
operators. Previously, according to regulations in force, MTS had to
transfer international traffic through long distance operators that
in their turn established connections with global operators.