MOSCOW, November 15, 2016 /PRNewswire/ --
Mobile TeleSystems PJSC ("MTS" or
"the Company" - NYSE: MBT; MOEX: MTSS), the leading
telecommunications provider in Russia and the CIS, and
Samsung Electronics, the global consumer
electronics and IT company, announce the
launch of Wi-Fi calling in Russia
enabling subscribers to make voice calls wherever there is a Wi-Fi
connection (Voice over Wi-Fi).
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Voice calls using the Wi-Fi calling technology do not require
customers to install any applications. Once customers enable the
Wi-Fi calling option on their smartphone, voice calls will be
automatically redirected to the Voice over Wi-Fi format, with the
Wi-Fi connection acting as a base station for the customer. The key
difference from existing OTT services is that a voice call is still
processed using a mobile operator's network and for the subscriber
it appears as an ordinary call from one mobile number to
another.
Wi-Fi Calling technology enables users to make calls from
locations that may be less well served by traditional cellular
networks but where there is a stable Wi-Fi connection. The service
is priced under current tariff plans as an ordinary call.
The service will launch in Moscow and the Moscow Region first and will be
available initially to Samsung Galaxy S7 and S7 edge users. The
service will then be rolled out over wider geographical coverage
and an increasing range of devices over the course of 2017.
Commenting on the launch of Wi-Fi Calling, MTS Vice President
for Strategy and Marketing, Vasyl
Latsanych, said: "Wi-Fi Calling represents a new step in the
development of telecoms infrastructure. This is one of the most
promising technological solutions aimed at enhancing network
quality and expanding the coverage of mobile services for
subscribers. The technology means that every Wi-Fi connection point
can act as one of our base stations. It enables us to provide our
clients with high-quality services even in places without access to
a cellular network, without costly investments in improving indoor
coverage. MTS is pleased to be the first operator to launch Wi-Fi
Calling in Russia and the timing
is not accidental. We have closely examined the roll-out of Wi-Fi
calling by our foreign partners, and as one of the most innovative
global companies, we strived to be the first to provide this kind
of service for our clients in Russia. Samsung was deliberately chosen as our
partner to introduce Wi-Fi Calling as Samsung smartphones are
traditionally among the most popular in Russia, so we are confident that this new
service will be in high demand."
"Samsung Electronics' mission is to create advanced products and
services. We welcome the launch of innovative Wi-Fi Calling
technology by our long-standing partner - MTS. Through this
service, users of our flagship devices, Galaxy S7 and S7 edge, will
be able to appreciate the high quality of the Wi-Fi modules
installed in their smartphones for yet another purpose. In fact, it
utilizes the same high-speed internet access but is aimed at
solving a different problem - providing voice services in places
where a traditional cellular network is not accessible for a
variety of reasons," - commented the Head of Samsung Mobile in
Russia, Arkady Graf.
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For further information, please contact in Moscow:
Joshua B. Tulgan
Director, Department of Corporate Finance and Investor
Relations
Mobile TeleSystems PJSC
Tel: +7 495 223 2025
E-mail: ir@mts.ru
Learn more about MTS. Visit the official blog of the Investor
Relations Department at http://www.mtsgsm.com/blog/
* * *
Mobile TeleSystems PJSC ("MTS" - NYSE:MBT; MOEX:MTSS) is the
leading telecommunications group in Russia and the CIS. We provide wireless
Internet access and fixed voice, broadband and pay-TV to over 100
million customers who value high quality of service at a
competitive price. Our wireless and fixed-line networks deliver
best-in-class speeds and coverage throughout Russia, Ukraine, Armenia, Turkmenistan and Belarus. To keep pace with evolving customer
demand, we continue to grow through innovative products,
investments in our market-leading retail platform, mobile payment
services, e-commerce and IT solutions. For more information, please
visit: http://www.mtsgsm.com.
* * *
Some of the information in this press release may contain
projections or other forward-looking statements regarding future
events or the future financial performance of MTS, as defined in
the safe harbor provisions of the U.S. Private Securities
Litigation Reform Act of 1995. You can identify forward looking
statements by terms such as "expect," "believe," "anticipate,"
"estimate," "intend," "will," "could," "may" or "might," and the
negative of such terms or other similar expressions. We wish
to caution you that these statements are only predictions and that
actual events or results may differ materially. We do not undertake
or intend to update these statements to reflect events and
circumstances occurring after the date hereof or to reflect the
occurrence of unanticipated events. We refer you to the documents
MTS files from time to time with the U.S. Securities and Exchange
Commission, specifically the Company's most recent Form 20-F. These
documents contain and identify important factors, including those
contained in the section captioned "Risk Factors" that could cause
the actual results to differ materially from those contained in our
projections or forward-looking statements, including, among others,
the severity and duration of current economic and financial
conditions, including volatility in interest and exchange rates,
commodity and equity prices and the value of financial assets; the
impact of Russian, U.S. and other foreign government programs to
restore liquidity and stimulate national and global economies, our
ability to maintain our current credit rating and the impact on our
funding costs and competitive position if we do not do so,
strategic actions, including acquisitions and dispositions and our
success in integrating acquired businesses, potential fluctuations
in quarterly results, our competitive environment, dependence on
new service development and tariff structures, rapid technological
and market change, acquisition strategy, risks associated with
telecommunications infrastructure, governmental regulation of the
telecommunications industries and other risks associated with
operating in Russia and the CIS,
volatility of stock price, financial risk management and future
growth subject to risks.
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SOURCE Mobile TeleSystems (MTS)