OREANDA-NEWS. Fitch Ratings has today changed OAO Centertelecom's ("CT") Outlook to Positive from Stable. Its ratings are affirmed at Issuer Default 'B-' (B minus) and Short-term 'B'. CT's National Long-term rating is affirmed at 'BB+(rus)'. The Outlook on the National Long-term rating has been changed to Positive from Stable.

Fitch has also assigned a 'BB+(rus)' rating to CT's RUB3 billion bond (fifth issue) with a maturity in August 2011.

"The Positive Outlook reflects expectations that the company will manage to achieve material de-leveraging and successfully extend the maturity profile of its debt," says Nikolay Lukashevich, Director at Fitch's TMT team. Fitch also expects that CT will be able to successfully develop its broadband business while maintaining its existing fixed-line franchise.