OREANDA-NEWS. Mobile TeleSystems OJSC (“MTS” - NYSE: MBT), the largest mobile phone operator in Russia and the CIS, announces that in light of numerous requests from the media regarding the press release issued on behalf of Bitel, MTS deems it necessary to make the following statement:
1.     The information distributed on behalf of Bitel is part of an unprincipled propaganda campaign carried out with the aim of pressuring the courts to render a decision on the title of ownership of Bitel.
2.     The dissemination of this information by Bitel coincides with developments in court proceedings on the Island of Man that MTS views as favorable to the Company.

Also, on November 8, 2006, MTS sent official letters to the management of Vimpelcom and Telenor that stated its position on Bitel and warned of the possibility of criminal proceedings in the event that Vimpelcom acquired the Kyrgyz GSM operator Sky Mobile, which is owned by Altimo and received Bitel’s assets after they were transferred by Bitel’s unlawful management.