Telecoms news from Russia

Russia's Rostelecom and Tele2 in MVNO Talks

Russian mobile networks, Rostelecom and Tele2 are reported to be in talks that could see them share MVNO access across each other's networks works. ...more.

MTS Quarterly Profits Fall on Currency Losses

Russia's MTS has reported its first-quarter financial results, and announced that its consolidated revenues rose by 2 percent to reach RUB93 billion, but that net profits fell by 16.9% to RUB13 billion. ...more.

Russian Cat Caught Smuggling Mobile Phones into Prison

A cat has been trained to smuggle mobile phones into prisons, but was caught by prison officials during its latest visit. ...more.

Finland and Russia Agree Terms on Radio Spectrum Use Along their Border

The Finnish and Russian telecoms regulators have negotiated a settlement on the usage of television and mobile communications frequencies in the border areas. ...more.

Russia's MegaFon Signs Partnerships Deal with Telefonica

Russia's MegaFon has signed a partnership with the telecoms giant, Telefonica to tap into the Spanish firm's buying strength and technology. ...more.

MegaFon Boosts Revenues and Profits on Back of Higher Data Usage

Russian mobile network operator, MegaFon has reported a rise in both revenues and profits for its first-quarter, boosted by mobile data services which rose by 22.4% over the past year. ...more.

Russia's VimpelCom Posts 28 Percent Rise in Quarterly Profits

Russia's VimpelCom has reported its financial results, and announced that first-quarter revenues were essentially flat compared to a year ago thanks largely to regulatory cuts in Italy, although the net profit rose by 28 percent. ...more.

Russian Mobile Network Seeking 5% of Profits from Financial Services by 2017

The Russian mobile network operator, MTS is aiming to generate at least 5 percent of its net profits from financial services by late 2017, the company's CEO, Andrei Dubovskov told an investor conference. ...more.

Tele2 Completes Sale of Russian Subsidiary in Just One Week

With unusual speed, Tele2 says that it has already completed the US$2.4 billion sale of its Russian subsidiary to the Russian financial group, VTB. ...more.

Tele2 Updates on Deal to Sell Russian Subsidiary

Tele2 has clarified some of the details about the agreement to sell its Russian subsidiary to the Russian financial group, VTB Group. ...more.

Russia's mobile game market set to double in 4 years while local publishers expand globally

According to the Moscow-based consultancy J'son & Partners, the mobile game market in Russia will grow from $392 million in 2012 to an estimated $707 million in 2016. ...more.

VimpelCom and MTS Launch Joint Bid to Buy Tele2's Russian Network

Two Russian mobile networks, VimpelCom and MTS have announced that they are interested in launching a spoiler bid to buy Tele2's local network. ...more.

Tele2 Sells Russian Subsidiary for $2.4 Billion

Sweden's Tele2 has announced a US42.4 billion deal to sell its Russian subsidiary to VTB G­roup - one of the country's leading financial groups. ...more.

VimpelCom Posts Quarterly Profit on Marginally Improved Revenue

Russia based VimpelCom has reported a modest rise in its fourth-quarter revenues and a sharp return to profits. The company posted revenues that were up by 1% at US$5.95 billion and profits of US$801 million, compared to a net loss of US$381 million a year ago. ...more.

MegaFon Posts Strong Fourth-Quarter Results

Russia's MegaFon has announced that its fourth-quarter revenues rose by 9.3 percent to reach RUR71.5 billion (US$2.3 billion), while net profits were up by 28.3% to RUR12.4 billion (US$405 million). ...more.

Multiple Phone Use is Rising in BRIC Markets - Except India

In three of the high-growth BRIC (Brazil, Russia, India and China) markets, using multiple mobile devices is becoming the new norm. ...more.

Ericsson Wins Russian Managed Services Contract

Ericsson has won a 5-year managed services contract with Russia's VimpelCom, ...more.

Skype Now Supporting Mobile Carrier Billing with Mach

VoIP based service, Skype is now supporting carrier billing for mobile networks in Russia, and will soon offer the service in the USA and Canada. Mach is providing the billing platform. ...more.

Russian Railway Sues Apple over Mobile App Trademark Claim

The Russian national railway has filed a lawsuit against Apple accusing the company of trademark infringement after it used the railway logo in one of its smartphone apps. ...more.

NEC signs mobile backhaul contract with Tele2

Japan's NEC has signed a multi-million, multi-year global framework contract to expand and upgrade Tele2's mobile access network in 10 countries across Europe. ...more.