OREANDA-NEWS. Rostelecom OJSC (MOEX - RTS: RTKM, RTKMP; OTCQX: ROSYY), Russia's national telecommunications operator, today announces that Standard & Poor's Rating Services (“Agency”) has confirmed Rostelecom's 'BB+' Corporate Credit Rating with a Stable Outlook. Related bond issues with ratings of 'BB+' with a Stable Outlook have also been confirmed by the Agency.

The Agency noted that Rostelecom's stand-alone credit profile was upgraded by one notch reflecting the Company's improved liquidity position. However, this improvement was eliminated by changes made by the Agency to its methodology, which no longer incorporates any uplift provided by support offered to government-related entities. As a result, the Company's credit rating remained intact.

Kai-Uwe Mehlhorn, Senior Vice-President and Chief Financial Officer, commented: “We are delighted that the Agency has upgraded our stand-alone credit profile to reflect the company's enhanced liquidity position.”