Moscow, Russia – January 28, 2013 – Rostelecom OJSC (the “Group” or the “Company”) (MICEX - RTS: RTKM, RTKMP; OTCQX: ROSYY), Russia’s national telecommunications operator, today announces that it has test launched its LTE (Long Term Evolution, (791-820 ÌHz, 821-862 ÌHz, 2530-2620 ÌHz and 2650-2690 ÌHz)) base stations in Krasnodar and Sochi. Data transmission speeds in the tested areas averaged 63 MB/s per subscriber. Projected transmission speeds are expected to reach up to 80 MB/s.

During the first stage of the implementation of this technology, the Company plans to develop its LTE-standard in Krasnodar and Sochi, as well as in the mountain and coastal areas that will host Olympic Games events. Approximately 100 LTE base stations will be installed in the above mentioned areas by the end of 2013.

The launch of the LTE-standard network is the next step in the development of the Rostelecom-South wireless network. Subscriber services will remain uninterrupted during the transition to the new LTE-standard, thanks to the implementation of Rostelecom’s technological strategy. This strategy will combine GSM, UMTS and LTE standards into a single MBB (mobile broadband) network in 2013, enabling customers to switch seamlessly from one network to another, depending on the parameters of a subscriber’s unit and his/her needs.