OREANDA-NEWS. February 27, 2010. Mobile TeleSystems OJSC (“MTS” – NYSE: MBT), the largest mobile phone operator in Russia and the CIS, announces that it has won the GSM Association’s (“GSMA”) 15th Annual Global Mobile Award at the 2010 Mobile World Congress in Barcelona. MTS won the award in the “Best Billing & Customer Care Solution” category for its “Your Individual Optimal Tariff Plan” service. MTS is the first mobile operator from Russia and the CIS to be recognized with one of the most prestigious awards in the telecommunications industry.

“Your Individual Optimal Tariff Plan” is a service that allows customers to choose and compare MTS tariffs by either visiting the relevant webpage on the Company’s website or using their mobiles through IVR1 or USSD2. MTS launched the service to further educate customers on the various options available to them using MTS’ tariff plans so as to strengthen the tie between the Company and its subscribers. Since the launch of the service in March 2009, over three million customers have already used it. According to the Company’s customer surveys, 91% of subscribers who changed their tariff plans using this service were very satisfied with the new tariff.

“In line with our 3i strategy3, we are focused on raising the innovation bar in customer service in Russia and the CIS by delivering the best offers in the market to our subscribers,” commented Mikhail Gerchuk, Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer of MTS. “Recognition of MTS by the GSMA in awarding the Company with one of the most prestigious awards in the telecommunications industry clearly demonstrates that we are taking the right steps in executing our strategy.”

The GSMA announced the winners of the coveted Global Mobile Awards at the 2010 Mobile World Congress in Barcelona. Rob Conway, CEO and Member of the Board, GSMA, noted: "A remarkable 500 entries from across the global mobile ecosystem were submitted this year, all of an extremely high caliber, and the winners should be incredibly proud of their achievements."

The awards presentation included the winners of 19 categories, covering Mobile Marketing and Advertising, Best Mobile Contribution to Social and Economic Development, the Green Mobile Awards, Mobile Personality of the Year, Mobile Innovation and Mobile Entertainment and at the evening event two highlight awards were presented, the Best Mobile Handset and the Chairman’s Award for outstanding contribution to the growth and success of the mobile industry.