OREANDA-NEWS. September 14, 2012. MegaFon is the first of the major Russian mobile operators to provide access to 4G services in Saint Petersburg and a number of towns in the Leningrad Region. Now, the citizens and guests of the Northern Capital are among the first users who can enjoy mobile internet access of the next generation at speeds several times higher than previously available. Beginning from Friday, August 31st, MegaFon has been offering the citizens and guests of Saint Petersburg new facilities based on the LTE (4G) standard. The main advantage for a 4G user is an immediate response (PING) and high speed data transmission, which, on average, is 6 to 7 times higher than in 3G networks.

'Saint Petersburg is the native land of MegaFon and the city where in 2007, the 3G network was launched for the first time, where innovative technologies are introduced on a regular basis and a high-quality network with large coverage was built, and where telecom services, including mobile internet, are very popular. Access to 4G services will significantly expand the internet network capabilities available to the citizens of the region and bring the communication market to a new level. We plan to extend 4G coverage to several more towns in the Leningrad Region by the end of 2012, says Alexey Semenov, the Director of the North-West Branch of MegaFon.

MegaFon's 4G-modems with a special SIM-card and tariff option can already be bought in the operator's retail stores and internet shop at the price of 1990 RUR. When buying a modem, a subscriber receives two weeks of free 4G-internet. The new modem supports all communication standards (4G/3G/2G).

MegaFon holds leading positions in Saint Petersburg with respect to key indicators. The Company's share in mobile internet revenues is more than 47%. In Saint Petersburg and the Leningrad Region with its population of approximately 6 million people, the Company provides services to more than 3 million customers. The Company has built a large network in the North-West that includes more than 4.5 thousand 2G and 3G base stations. The Company's communication services are available everywhere in the territory of Saint Petersburg and the Leningrad Region, i.e. in all towns, regional centres and the majority of small settlements. More than 80% of the population of the Leningrad Region is covered by the 3G network.

Today, more than 500 4G base stations are in operation in Saint Petersburg and the Leningrad Region. Our work to improve data quality and network expansion will continue.

Besides Saint Petersburg, MegaFon provides 4G services in Moscow, Samara, Novosibirsk, Krasnodar, Sochi, Vladivostok, Ufa and Kazan. By the end of the year, next generation services will be available in the territory inhabited by 30% of the Russian population.