OREANDA-NEWS. December 30, 2009. MegaFon received ROSCOMNADZOR’s permission to use the frequencies needed for outdoor operation of 3G networks in Moscow. From now on, the operator starts to rollout 3G base stations in the streets of the Russian capital city.

“MegaFon is the leader in the tempo of 3G rollout in our capital city, we intend to be the first in providing services to 3G subscribers in the streets of Moscow. If all the documents required for the commercial launch are prepared promptly, MegaFon will be able to start integration of 3G base stations for outdoor services to subscribers even before the New Year. Next year we will continue active growth of 3G network at the entire Moscow region”, said Valery Ermakov, the Chief Operating Officer of MegaFon.

First 3G base stations (outdoor) will appear in practically every Moscow district. The operator’s priority coverage area of a new network will include the historical center of Moscow, business areas and key motorways. There is also a program of 3G rollout in the so-called “sleeping” areas of Moscow and in Moscow underground.

Today MegaFon already delivers 3G signal (indoor) to Moscow business centers and hotels, hypermarkets, railway stations, airports, a number of underground stations and other sites that are mostly visited by Muscovites and guests of the capital city. As to Moscow region the services of new network are available in Balashikha, Krasnogorsk, Lyubertsy, Noginsk, Pavlovo Posad, Pushkino, Solnechnogorsk, Khimky, Electrostal, in the adjacent areas and along suburban motorways. As of early December there are about 25% of Moscow citizens and guests staying daily within the coverage area of new network. The total number of MegaFon’s subscribers in Moscow and Moscow region is over 7.3 million.

By the end of 2009, there will be about 700 3G base stations in Moscow and Moscow region. The operator’s long-term plans provide for over 3,000 base stations of the Third Generation to be installed in the capital region, which will give access to new services for every citizen of Moscow and Moscow region.