OREANDA-NEWS. December 17, 2007. Golden Telecom, Inc., a leading facilities-based provider of integrated telecommunications and Internet services in major population centers throughout Russia and other countries of the Commonwealth of Independent States, announces today the closing of the acquisition of a 100% stake in LLC "New Telecom Technologies" (NTT) in Krasnodar– an alternative carrier providing communication services to business customers and carriers in the region.

NTT was founded in 2000 and today operates its own network of 40 kilometers with access to multi-tenant business centers, banks and hotels in Krasnodar. The acquisition of NTT speeds up development of Golden Telecom’s corporate business in the region through rapid expansion of its high quality network while optimizing the overall cost structure.

The acquisition of NTT is part of Golden Telecom's successful regional expansion strategy. Golden Telecom already owns and operates sizeable local and intercity networks in Novorossiysk, Gelendzhik, Sochi and other cities in the Krasnodar region. In Sochi, Golden Telecom offers long-distance services, corporate networks and Internet access through Sochi Telecom, a telecom operator established in 1999 and acquired by Golden Telecom in October 2005.