MegaFon Offers Real Zero
Source: http://www.upmonitor.ru/, November 5 2009
MegaFon announced a launch of a new tariff plan, called Real Zero. The plan will be available for MegaFon subscribers of Ural region.
New tariff enables to make free calls within Ural region Megafon network during whole day, after talking from 2 to 4 intranetwork minutes per day (depending on a region).
Roaming Lite from MTS
Source: http://mskit.ru/, November 4 2009
MTS launched a new service called Roaming Lite in macro-region Center.
The service enables its subscribers to use limited number of services while in roaming. It should be noted, that usually in autumn mobile operators are not so active in making roaming offers to their subscribers: most active in this segment is in vocation or holiday seasons.
Roaming Lite was launched in MTS network in macro-region Center. The special feature of this offer is that it can be subscribed by sending USSD request from mobile, Internet Assistant and Mobile Assistant services, as well as by sending SMS message. Traditional way to subscribe to International Access and International and National Roaming is personal visiting of mobile salons by subscriber or his/her authorized representative, and often there are some complications with this approach. Besides, there is an option to subscribe to the service via operator’s Call Center. This way, the service launch of Roaming Lite significantly simplifies service subscription.
Also, Roaming Lite provides subscriber with only limited number of network services. So, as part of this service, it subscribers can receive all incoming voice calls, make outgoing voice calls, including international calls, as well as to receive SMS while they travel in Ukraine, Belorussia, Turkey, Egypt, Spain, Italy, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Montenegro, Finland and etc. However, this service makes outgoing SMS and mobile Internet unavailable. By subscribing to the service, its subscriber also can use international communication while being in his MTS home region, as well as in the intranetwork roaming of MTS.
Another convenient feature of the service is that subscription to the service is free of charge and there is no subscription fee. Payment for roaming calls is charged according to standard roaming tariffs of MTS. Besides, within Roaming Lite, there is a possibility to activate Close Countries option, enabling to get discounts for several roaming services.
Mobile Operators and Military: Radiofrequencies Divided in the Capital.
Source: http://www.newsinfo.ru/, November 3 2009
Big Trio operators (MTS, VimpelCom, and MegaFon) received 3G licenses to operate in all regions of Russian Federation as early as 2007. However, deployment of 3G networks in Russian capital was obstructed by issues of their electromagnetic compatibility with military and other special equipment.
Defense Ministry of Russian Federation coordinated radio frequency allocation for outdoor 3G networks in Moscow, announced the Chief of Electronic Warfare Units of Military Council of Russian Federation, Oleg Ivanov.
According to Mr. Ivanov, all documentation was sent to Federal Supervision Agency for Information Technologies and Communications of Russian Federation. Now this agency should grant these radio frequencies to mobile operators.
It should be noted, that this concerns the beginning of 3G network deployment in 2.1 GHz diapason, directly in Moscow. However, such deployment is still prohibited in 60-kilometer radius around Moscow, in the proximity of military strategic and tactical relay system.
Standard & Poor: MTS is Stable!
Source: http://www.content-review.com/, November 02 2009
Mobile TeleSystems (MTS), the largest mobile operator in Russia, announces that Standard & Poor, International Rating Agency, has confirmed a long-term credit rating of MTS to be on “BB” level.
MTS: Extended options of SMS and MMS
Source: http://www.globalomsk.ru/, September 16 2009
MTS announces a launch of a new service “SMS/MMS from PC” enabling subscribers of any Russian mobile operators to send text and multimedia messages from their computers to mobiles via Internet. To use the service, subscriber should install free application integrated with Internet browser, email agent and subscriber’s electronic note book.
New service offers the following options to its subscribers, sending messages from computer, connected to Internet, to mobile:
- Quick and convenient message transfer using computer keyboard;
- Transfer of multimedia using Windows and browsers context menu;
- Transfer of various multimedia files (photo, video, audio) in one message;
- Mass mailing to several recipients (from Windows address book);
- Scheduling of message transfer;
- Transfer of messages from email agents and Internet browsers;
- Reception of message delivery status notifications;
- Auto compression of large sized files.
VimpelCom Goes to Laos
Source: http://www.kommersant.ru/, September 14 2009
VimpelCom signed an agreement regarding purchase of 78% of shares in Millicom Lao Co. Ltd., provider of telecom services in Laos. The rest of Millicom Lao Co. Ltd. Shares (22%) belong to Ministry of Finances of Laos. Sum of the deal equals to $66 million.
Millicom Lao — is the second largest mobile operator in Laos. By the end of June, 2009 the operator was servicing 274 thousands subscribers. The company’s share on the mobile market — 22.1% (the largest mobile operator in the country — Lao Telecom has 52%). In January, 2002 Millicom Lao was granted a twenty-year GSM license. Also the operator owns 2,5 GHz frequencies to provide WiMAX services and IP-telephony license. According to the signed agreement, VimpelCom pays Millicom Lao $372 per subscriber. In the first half of 2009 Millicom Lao ARPU comprised $7,5
3G Services Getting Cheaper
Source: http://www.vedomosti.ru/, September 8 2009
Mobile Internet operators started lowering their prices. Soon prices of 3G access will compete with prices on traditional communications.
Sky Link, the first mobile operator to launch 3G in St. Petersburg, last week initiated campaign Unlimit for Halfprice. For subscribers, subscribing to the operator’s 3G services in September-October 2009, subscription fee is lowered by 50% to 395 rubles per month. In August, 2009 the share of unlimited tariff subscriptions comprised 20% of all Internet tariff subscriptions. During the campaign this share is expected to grow to 40-50%, says Commercial Director of Sky Link – North-West, Maksim Chernyak.
From October 10, 2009 Beeline increases the volume of permitted traffic in unlimited tariff from 1 to 2Gb (695 rubles per month). After reaching this volume speed of Internet connection drops down to 64 Kb/sec.
August 31, 2009 MTS, the only Big Trio operator which does not have unlimited tariff yet, offered a package of 3Gb for 799 rubles, after this limit is reached 1 Mb costs 24 kopeks. For most MTS subscribers package of 1000 Mb is enough, in Petersburg mobile Internet is usually used as addition to fixed access and WiFi, announces MTS press service.
In August, 2009 MegaFon introduced unlimited tariff (699 rubles per month) and, according to Director of MegaFon North-West, Aleksandra Makarova, not planning to lower its prices in foreseeable future. The operator plans to compete with other players of Russian mobile market by offering extended services and faster speeds. According to Mrs. Makarova, the operator already has 10 000 subscribers of unlimited tariff. 140 000 USB modems were sold already in Petersburg. The rest of mobile operators do not disclose the number of modems sold by them.
New Online Content Store from MTS
Source: http://telecom.cnews.ru/, September 7 2009
“Development of 3G networks, growth of innovation technology penetration rates and subscriber devices help to popularize digital content. As part of MTS strategy of “smart networks” development we accentuate not just infrastructure provision, but creation and provision to our subscribers of best products on content market. Omlet.ru became a unique phenomenon on Russian market and important tool enabling to fight copyright piracy and turning Russian content market into civilized place. Its users received access to wide assortment of legal content for reasonable prices via convenient mobile version and Web. This model turned out to be in great demand on the market – according to results of three months since its opening, Omlet.ru entered the top list of leading music web sites of Rambler 100”, – noted Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer of MTS, Mikhail Gerchuk.
Omlet.ru beta-version was launched in April, 2009 and up to now portal update was taking place. Portal users are able to re-configure interface of their personal pages, set up public access to their personal information, and public access between groups can also be configured.
MTS Introduces «Red Energy» Tariff
Source: http://www.yarsk.ru/, September 2 2009
MTS announces a lunch of new tariff for young subscribers called Red Energy. The tariff offers unified cost of calls to subscribers of any mobile operators of “home” region and enables them to switch on special options for unlimited communication.
“For the first time on Russian mobile market MTS provides a tariff with distinctive feature of using special options for unlimited communication according to individual requirements of subscriber. On one hand, subscriber can switch on unlimited use of calls, SMS or Internet, and on the other – he can set up a temporary period when he will be using options of unlimited communication, minimum for one day. Tariff was created upon marketing research conducted among youth auditory. High-priority for this target group is cheap calls and unlimited communication via SMS and Internet,” – noted Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer of MTS, Mikhail Gerchuk.
The main parameters of Red Energy are: low cost of calls for subscribers of all mobile operators in Krasnoyarsk krai and Republic of Khakassia – 1.40 rubles per minute, and SMS messages to mobile operators of “home” region – 0.95 rubles per message.
Subscriber may also switch on the following unlimited options:
- Unlimited Calls enabling to make unlimited number of calls to MTS subscribers of “home” region just for 14.50 rubles per day. The cost of switching on the option is 15 rubles.
- Unlimited SMS enabling to send unlimited number of SMS to MTS subscribers of “home” region for 5 rubles per day. The cost of switching on the option is 15 rubles.
- Unlimited Nightly Internet enabling to gain unlimited GPRS-Internet access from 01:00 to 08:00 for 450 rubles per month. The cost of switching on the option is 450 rubles, without any subscriber’s fee. The service is provided during 30 days after it was switched on.
Pay For Mobile Communications While Abroad
Source: http://news.mail.ru/, September 1 2009
New service of mobile payments via SMS was introduced to Russian subscribers. Now Russian subscribers can instantly pay for their mobile communications while visiting any country in the world. Their transactions are handled by payment system called “MOBI.Money”. If their mobiles are receiving a signal this means that the system is ready and they do not have to set up any additional software or access Internet in order to use the service. The service offered by “MOBI.Money” is called “3115.ru”.
In order to use the service subscriber has to register his banking card on the service web site. The registration can be done while subscriber is already on his way, since “card assignment to mobile number” is done very quickly – in a matter of several minutes. But the best way to gain access to the service is when subscriber is not yet in roaming. After registration a random “control sum” of 50-100 rubles will be temporary withdrawn from subscriber’s account. To complete a switch to the service, subscriber should send SMS indicating a sum, which was withdrawn, to short number – 3115. After this, SMS, sent from the mobile number, registered in the system and containing payment sum, will initiate money transaction to subscriber’s mobile account. The service is operating 24 hours and in any part of the world, where there is a mobile connection.
Payments are accepted from any VISA, MasterCard (except MasterCard Electronic), Diners Club International, and JCB International cards.
SMS dispatch to 3115 number is charged according to the terms of subscriber’s mobile operator, and costs as regular outgoing SMS.
