Sistema Enters CDMA2000 Market

Russia's Sistema has announced its participation in a project aimed at establishing a mobile telecommunications operator providing CDMA2000 format mobile telephony services in the 450Mhz band. Skylink CJSC was established in July 2003 to develop the IMT-MC-450 market among mobiles users interested in multimedia data transmission, high quality voice traffic, and high-speed internet access.

Sistema has purchased 50% of the common shares of Skylink CJSC from Carmarthen Trading Limited. According to an earlier protocol of intent, signed by Sistema Telecom CJSC, shareholders of Skylink will contribute to this project their shares of MCC JSC, Delta Telecom CJSC and Personal Communications CJSC.

Sistema's President Evgeny Novitsky said of the deal, "We are interested in participating in Skylink because it represents the development of a new market niche and will give new life to our analogue mobile telephony assets. We have substantial experience in the telecommunications industry, along with solid partners. For these reasons, we have every confidence in this undertaking and in the successful development of this new operator."

Posted to the site on 9th December 2003