VimpelCom Launches 3G Network in Four Russian Cities

Russian telecom company Vimpel-Communications has announced the commercial launch of a 3G network in four Russian cities of Saint Petersburg, Nizhny Novgorod, Samara and Chelyabinsk. The company plans to launch 3G networks in around 40 cities by the end of 2008.

According to Vimpel-Communications (VimpelCom), the networks currently cover the central and some of the densely populated districts in these cities, and the company expects that during 2008 coverage will be extended to bedroom communities.

Diana Samoshkina, director for the development of new businesses at VimpelCom, said: “While building the 3G network we are focusing on providing good indoor coverage for broadband internet access. This is especially important in those Russian regions where broadband penetration is low and existing Internet technologies provide only low-speed connection.

Our 3G product is targeting not so much mobile subscribers as residential internet users who will be able to access the web via our GSM/UMTS USB modems which work both in 3G and 2G networks.”