MTS Picks Ericsson, Nokia Siemens As 3G Suppliers

MOSCOW -(Dow Jones)- Russia's Mobile TeleSystemms (MTS), the country's largest mobile operator by users, said Thursday it has chosen Nokia Siemens Networks and Sweden's Ericsson to build its third-generation, or 3G, network.

Ericisson and Nokia Siemens Networks will be the only two companies building MTS' 3G network, a spokeswoman for the Russian operator said.

MTS declined to give any financial details for the deal.

MTS is one of three operators that this spring won licenses to operate 3G networks in Russia and is the first of the three to sign a contract for the supply of 3G equipment.

-By Will Bland, Dow Jones Newswires; +7 495 974 80 55; william.bland@dowjones.com

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

Posted to the site on 27th September 2007