March 3 2009, Moscow, Erevan: COMSTAR – United TeleSystems (COMSTAR-UTS, LSE: CMST), the leading provider of integrated telecommunication services in Russia and the CIS, announces that Kornet-AM, COMSTAR-UTS’ subsidiary in Armenia, has got number capacity to deliver fixed-line voice services across the country.

The Public Services Regulatory Committee of Armenia (PSRC) has granted the request of Kornet-AM (as of November 8, 2007) for 60,000 numbers. Upon PSRC’s decision as of February 25, 2009, the operator has acquired number capacity and non-geographical codes for interconnected public network to provide fixed-line voice services in Armenia. The company has been assigned the following codes: 6021, 6022, 6023, 6024, 6025, 6026. And according to the numbering plan now the company is able to provide its customers with four-digit numbers, 10,000 per each of the above codes.

Cornet-AM has all required licenses to deliver various telecom services, including local, long-distance and international communication, telematic and data services. Besides, the company is the operator of national multi-service WiMAX network which was commercially launched in Autumn 2008 and enables integrated telecom services of digital voice, broadband Internet, data, conferencing, private networks.

Victor Koresh, Vice President for Regional Development of COMSTAR-UTS, says "With new number capacity we are able to solve our strategic task in Armenia, i.e. to enter the segment of voice services, including those for individual subscribers. Dynamic promotion of company’s services will provide a competitive environment in the Armenian fixed-line communication market and consequently will drive its fast growth to make the benefit for all the country."

Boris Demirkhanyan, General Director of Kornet-AM, says "We have been already offering broadband Internet and value-added services based on our WiMAX network covering Erevan and 18 cities of Armenia, so we see that high-quality advanced communication is in great demand in the regions. In terms of technology that provides user access to the network, we are ready to deliver voice services. We are going to launch fixed voice services, both local and long-haul, before the end of first half-year, when our network will have been interconnected with ArmenTel’s infrastructure as well as final decisions to solve some technical issues will have been made."

Currently Kornet-AM has over 200 corporate customers in Erevan and in locations of the Republic which are covered by the WiMAX network. These include such enterprises as Nairit, Zvartnots International Airport and many others. Using wide coverage of the network and flexible technology Kornet-AM is promoting wireless telecom solutions for individual subscribers.