MegaFon, the first Pan-Russian mobile operator, has chosen Nokia as the sole supplier of its GSM network in the central region of Russia. Under a two-year frame agreement just signed between the two companies, Nokia will deliver and deploy a complete state-of-the-art GSM network to the cities of Nizniy Novgorod (former Gorky) and Voronezh and surrounding regions. The central region that will eventually be served by MegaFon has a combined population of some 22 million and forms the commercial and industrial foundation of central Russia.
The first phase of deliveries has already begun and is scheduled to be completed by the end of July.
The system provided by Nokia includes core and radio-access network equipment, as well as extensive cellular transmission infrastructure and the Nokia NetActTM operation and support system. In addition to equipment, Nokia is also providing project management, installation and integration supervision for fast network ramp-up, as well as training and care services to help maintain the competitiveness of the network.
“MegaFon has been impressed with Nokia’s GSM offering and its enthusiasm to satisfy our network requirements,” says Andrei Klimov, a spokesman for MegaFon. “We are convinced that the GSM service we will provide our customers will greatly improve the quality of mobile service available in this market.”
“We are delighted to be working with the first nationwide mobile operator in the emerging Russia mobile phone market,” says Denis Malyshev, Senior Account Manager, Nokia Networks. “We are cooperating closely with MegaFon to bring the very best of GSM service to central Russia, and we see this as the beginning of a long relationship that will accelerate the up take of mobile services in this vibrant area.”
Nokia is the world leader in mobile communications. Backed by its experience, innovation, user-friendliness and secure solutions, the company has become the leading supplier of mobile phones and a leading supplier of mobile, fixed broadband and IP networks. By adding mobility to the Internet, Nokia creates new opportunities for companies and further enriches the daily lives of people. Nokia is one of the most broadly held companies in the world with listings on six major exchanges.
MegaFon is the first Pan-Russian mobile operator. The main shareholders of MegaFon are Sonera (Finland), Telia (Sweden), Telecominvest (Russia) and CT-Mobile (Russia). MegaFon is the only company to have a pan-Russian GSM license coverage, which embraces 89 subdivisions of the Russian Federation with population of 147 million . At present the company’s subscriber base is over 1,5 million.
Further information:
Communications Department, Nokia Networks
Tel. + 358 7180 38195
E-mail nokia.networks@nokia.com
www.nokia.com
MegaFon
Andrei Klimov
Tel. +7 812 325 8636
E-mail klimov@telecominvest.ru
www.megafon.ru