OREANDA-NEWS. Tele2, an alternative mobile operator, and the Khabarovsk Territory have signed an agreement on cooperation in telecommunications sector development. Tele2 is planning to invest 1.3 bn rubles in development of the region's infrastructure by 2018.

The agreement is targeted at cooperation between Tele2 and the Khabarovsk Territory government in developing telecommunications infrastructure, increasing investment into local economy and implementing joint social and economic projects.

The document implies large-scale construction of new facilities of the network infrastructure. Special attention will be paid to increasing affordability of the operator's services in distant residential areas of the Khabarovsk Territory as well as along its federal highway.

Apart from technical development, the sides are planning to implement a number of programs focused on the economic growth and favorable investment climate on the region's territory. These aspects of cooperation include development and implementation of projects targeted at the support of the territory's initiatives in social sphere.

Dmitry Lopatukhin, Chief Operations Officer at Tele2:

"Local authorities provide strong support for telecommunications, which fuels overall economic growth in the Khabarovsk Territory. I am sure that implementation of this agreement will let us not only effectively meet the population's needs for affordable and high-quality services but also contribute to better living standards in the region. Tele2 is focused on long-term investment - this is proved by successful rollout in the Far East where Tele2 launched its operations in autumn 2012".

Pavel Uvarov, Khabarovsk Territory communications minister:

"Emergence of a new player, Tele2, on the region's telecom market will entail new investment flow, which will finally result in the territory's economic growth and improvement of living standards in the region. Besides, this will boost telecommunications infrastructure development and stronger competition on the market. Operations of a new mobile operator will have a favorable impact, which will positively influence the level of service. Sealed agreements on the development of the network in the remote residential areas will contribute to better affordability of mobile services for local people."