[December 16th 1999] Mobile TeleSystems CJSC (MTS), Russia's leading global system for mobile communications
(GSM) wireless phone service operator, together with Motorola, Inc. have launched the first trials to deliver the Internet to
mobile phone users in Russia.
Using WAP-enabled Motorola Timeport P7389 phones, mobile users have been accessing Internet information via major
Internet portals such as Yahoo!, SkyGo and AirFlash. The trial relies on the Motorola's open Mobile Internet
Exchange, or MIX , platform and utilises WAP (Wireless Application Protocol) which allows
Internet content to be viewed on a mobile phone display. The new service will be available commercially to MTS subscribers in early
2000, once the tests are complete and local content is added.
"We are proud to offer our strategic customer in Russia a leading edge solution that will allow MTS to offer the Internet to their
subscribers yet migrate seamlessly to GPRS and eventually to a third generation solution," said Gene O'Rourke, vice president
and general manager EMEA for Motorola Inc.'s Network Solutions Sector. "Not only is the trial the first in this developing mobile
phone and Internet market, but it also makes Russia one of the top 10 countries in the world where such trials have been conducted,"
said O'Rourke.
"The WAP trial we are starting as pioneers in Russia and among the first in the world, brings the wireless Internet and access to
various databases to MTS subscribers," said Yury Gromakov, vice president of MTS. "Within the GSM
framework, WAP can be considered as one of the new services for the existing cellular networks of
the second generation. Its implementation, however, will allow the subscribers to make the first step towards services of the third
generation networks," said Gromakov.
About MTS
Mobile TeleSystems CJSC is the leading digital cellular operator in Russia with a subscriber base of 340,000. It operates a dual
band (900/1800) GSM network in Moscow as well as GSM networks in other areas of Central Russia, Komi republic and the Urals region.
