Svyazinvest Says Does Not Consider Units Bidding for 3G

MOSCOW, Dec 25 (Prime-Tass) -- Russian national telecom holding Svyazinvest is not considering at the moment its subsidiaries? bidding in the recently announced tenders for licenses to provide third generation (3G) mobile telecommunication services, Svyazinvest spokesman Oleg Mikhailov told Prime-Tass Monday.

Svyazinvest controls 51% voting stakes in seven regional fixed-line telecommunications operators and national long-distance operator Rostelecom, as well as various stakes in several minor operators.

Earlier in the day the Federal Communications Agency, or Rossvyaz, announced tenders for three licenses to provide 3G mobile services.

Potential bidders are required to have provided telecommunications services for at least three years as of Monday.

Russia?s three major mobile operators - MTS, VimpelCom and MegaFon ? all have announced they plans to participate in the tender. Mobile operator Sky Link, which is affiliated with MTS through their majority shareholder, telecommunications holding AFK Sistema, also said it might bid.

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Posted to the site on 25th December 2006