Our worldwide markets and mobile operators
Highlights from our mobile operators and the markets in which we operate.
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Russia and CIS
We have a 29.9% ownership interest in VimpelCom. VimpelCom is a key affiliate of Telenor and, according to AC&M Consulting data, the second largest mobile operator in Russia in terms of subscriptions. The operator had an overall market share of 32% at year-end 2006.
In addition to Russia, VimpelCom has subsidiaries in Kazakhstan, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Georgia and Armenia. VimpelCom operates under the Beeline brand.
Network
VimpelCom operates a GSM 900/1800 network, as well as several small AMPS/D-AMPS networks, that target both the business and consumer segments. VimpelCom’s Russian license portfolio covers approximately 94% of the population.
In Russia’s Far East region, VimpelCom operates in four sub-regions through its subsidiaries Sakhalin Telecom and Dal Telecom International. VimpelCom has sought to expand its operations to all 13 regions of the Far East Federal District. The national regulator upholds the denial of VimpelCom’s access to the Far East. Currently, the company is present in four regions of the Far East federal district, which has a population of about 6 million.
As part of its overall business strategy, VimpelCom has constructed and tested a pilot UMTS network, and intends to introduce UMTS technology in all 88 regions (federal districts) of Russia. An announcement that VimpalCom will be awarded a UMTS licence was made on 20 April 2007.
All figures refers to Q1 2007 unless otherwise stated
