By Olga Razumovskaya
MOSCOW--Russian state-controlled telecommunications operator
Rostelecom (RTKM.RS) has begun negotiations with Tele2 Russia,
which is owned by the country's second-biggest lender VTB
(VTBR.RS), about using the mobile virtual network operator model,
Interfax reports Monday, citing Rostelecom's chief executive Sergei
Kalugin.
Tele2 Russia is the country's fourth-largest mobile operator on
the market. An MVNO agreement would enable it to use Rostelecom's
third-generation, or 3G, network to provide its services to more
clients. The company currently has no 3G, or the even faster
long-term-evolution licences, and operates in the GSM standard.
"I think the first [thing] that we will do now, we will try to
agree with them on MVNO," Mr. Kalugin is quoted as saying. "This, I
believe, can be done right away," he added.
He said the management of the two companies had already had two
meetings on the subject, Interfax reports.
Agency website: www.interfax.ru
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