IR Blog

3G network in Moscow, as of January 15, 2010.

At the end of December 2009, we launched our commercial 3G network in Moscow, complementing our existing coverage in the Moscow region and throughout Russia. At the time of launch, our network consisted of 197 base stations, which allowed us to offer extensive coverage within the MKAD (the so-called beltway, or highway, that surrounds Moscow) to a population of over 10 million.  By the end of January, we will have installed up to 300 base stations to serve Russia's capital.  For the latest network map, click here.

We estimate that data traffic has already increased 2-3 times in areas where both 2G and 3G networks are available, compared to the traffic prior to the launch of 3G. Currently, we have a variety of special tariffs for 3G users, including unlimited ones.

Given the size of Russia, it comes as no surprise that we are constantly adding new communities to the coverage map of MTS. In 2008, our network extended to over 900 communities in Russia with a population of over 1,000 inhabitants. We have deployed over 4,700 additional base stations representing an increase of over 20% of the overall base station count.

The westernmost location of our network is Baltiysk, a seaport town in the Kaliningrad Oblast. The northernmost point is Borisoglebsk, a town in the Murmansk Oblast bordering Norway. One of the most unique locations is in northern Russia, in the Nenets Autonomous Okrug on the shores of the Barents Sea, which can be reached only by air.