MOSCOW, November 28, 2016 /PRNewswire/ --
Mobile TeleSystems PJSC ("MTS" or
the "Company" - NYSE: MBT; MOEX:
MTSS), the leading telecommunications provider in Russia and the CIS, and
«VimpelCom" PJSC (Beeline brand) announce
the start of spectrum sharing in 4G-network in Cherepovetz (Vologda
region) which allows to increase data transfer speeds
available to the subscribers at peak speeds of 150 Mb/s. Vologda
region became the first region where two operators united
their spectrums within a large-scale project to jointly construct
and utilize LTE networks in more than 30 regions in Russia.
(Logo:
http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20121115/AQ14468LOGO )
Sharing of the operators' 10 MHz bandwidth in the 2600 MHz
range spectrums will permit an increase in data transfer speeds
over LTE networks up to a peak speed of 150 Mb/s.
In December 2015, MTS and
VimpelCom signed an addendum to their agreement on the joint
planning, development and usage of LTE networks, which they
originally concluded in 2014 to unite their spectrum bands in 20
regions in Russia. In 2016, the
list of the regions was expanded to 31. Apart from Vologda
region, in 2016-2017, the operators plan to unite their spectrum
resources in other regions.
The development of the project became possible due to adoption
of amendments to the law "On Communications" that legislated the
operator's right to jointly utilize spectrum.
"After two years of execution, our ambitious project with
VimpelCom is entering its final stage - during the next year, we'll
unite our LTE networks on shared spectrums in more than 30 regions.
The project allows us to minimize costs on construction and
utilizing of the base stations, decrease the timeline for network
launch and what is more provide our subscribers with the higher
mobile internet speeds in modern LTE networks", noted Andrei
Ushatskiy, Vice President for Technology and IT.
In December 2014, MTS and
VimpelCom signed a partnership agreement to jointly plan, develop
and use LTE networks in Russia in
36 regions in Russia. Under the
agreement, in 2014 - 2016, MTS develops shared mobile data networks
in 19 regions in Russia, while
VimpelCom constructs networks in 17 regions.The agreement will last
seven years with an option of prolongation. During this period,
operators will share base stations, sites, transport networks and
other infrastructure. The agreement will not preclude either
company from develop their own networks in addition to shared
infrastructure in the designated regions.
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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/
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Mobile TeleSystems PJSC ("MTS" - NYSE:MBT; MOEX:MTSS) is the
leading telecommunications group in Russia, Central and Eastern Europe. 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.
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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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