OREANDA-NEWS. VimpelCom Ltd. (NASDAQ: VIP) - VimpelCom Ltd. (“VimpelCom” or “Company”), a leading global provider of telecommunications and digital services headquartered in Amsterdam and serving over 200 million customers, today announced the commencement of an offering by selling shareholder Telenor East Holding II AS (“Telenor”) of 142,500,000 American Depositary Shares (“ADSs”), each representing one common share of the Company. Telenor intends to grant the underwriters an option to purchase up to 21,375,000 additional ADSs at the offering price, less underwriting discounts and commissions. The price for the offering has not yet been determined. Before pricing of the ADS offering, Telenor may also launch a 3-year bond exchangeable into VimpelCom ADSs in an aggregate principal amount of up to USD 1,000,000,000, with an exchange premium which could be up to 35 per cent. The exchangeable bond will be launched outside the United States to non-US persons, pursuant to Regulation S under the U.S. Securities Act.

VimpelCom will not receive any proceeds from the sale of the ADSs by Telenor, and Telenor's sale of the ADSs will not result in dilution of the Company’s issued and outstanding shares.

Morgan Stanley and J.P. Morgan will act as joint global coordinators and joint bookrunners and Citigroup and Credit Suisse will act as joint bookrunners for the offering.

The offering will be made pursuant to the Company’s shelf registration statement on Form F-3 initially filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on May 23, 2014, as amended and most recently declared effective on April 20, 2016 (the “Registration Statement”). The ADSs will be offered only by means of a prospectus and an accompanying prospectus supplement forming a part of the effective Registration Statement. Prospective investors should read the prospectus included in the Registration Statement, the preliminary prospectus supplement and other documents that the Company has filed with the SEC for more complete information about the Company and the offering. 

This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy, nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any state or other jurisdiction in which such an offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state or other jurisdiction.

About VimpelCom

VimpelCom (NASDAQ: VIP) is an international communications and technology company, headquartered in Amsterdam, and driven by a vision to unlock new opportunities for customers as they navigate the digital world. Present in some of the world’s most dynamic markets, VimpelCom provides more than 200 million customers with voice, fixed broadband, data and digital services. VimpelCom’s heritage as a pioneer in technology is the driving force behind a major transformation focused on bringing the digital world to each and every customer. VimpelCom offers services to customers in 14 markets including Russia, Italy, Algeria, Pakistan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Ukraine, Bangladesh, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Armenia, Georgia, Laos, and Zimbabwe. VimpelCom, whose licenses cover 10% of the world's population, operates under the “Beeline”, “WIND”, “Djezzy”, “Mobilink”, “Kyivstar”, “banglalink” and “Telecel” brands. 

For readers in the European Economic Area:

In any EEA Member State that has implemented the Prospectus Directive, this communication is only addressed to and directed at qualified investors in that Member State within the meaning of the Prospectus Directive. The term “Prospectus Directive” means Directive 2003/71/EC (and amendments thereto, including Directive 2010/73/EU, to the extent implemented in each relevant Member State), together with any relevant implementing measure in the relevant Member State.

For readers in the United Kingdom:

This communication is being directed only at (i) persons who are outside the United Kingdom or (ii) investment professionals falling within Article 19(5) (“Investment professionals”) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005 (the “Order”) or (iii) certain high value persons and entities who fall within Article 49(2)(a) to (d) (“High net worth companies, unincorporated associations etc.”) of the Order; or (iv) any other person to whom it may lawfully be communicated (all such persons in (i) to (iv) together being referred to as “relevant persons"). The ADSs are only available to, and any invitation, offer or agreement to subscribe, purchase or otherwise acquire such ADSs will be engaged in only with, relevant persons. Any person who is not a relevant person should not act or rely on this document or any of its contents.