MegaFon confirms Synterra integration plan (Russia)
Russian cellco MegaFon has announced details of its looming integration with fixed line operator Synterra, which it purchased in March 2010.
The first stage of the integration will take place in the North-West Federal District, where MegaFon’s existing operations are set to take up Synterra’s PeterStar unit. Next in order for integration are regional units in the Urals, Siberia and the South.
MegaFon has revealed that the ongoing integration process is unique in as much as Synterra and MegaFon’s existing markets rarely overlap, meaning the newly integrated portfolio will be able to make use of the infrastructure and spectrum belonging to both operators. As a result, the integrated company will boast a backbone network that is over 100,000 km long, in addition to extensive satellite infrastructure.
According to Konstantin Solodukhin, Deputy CEO of MegaFon’s long distance communications department, while working on the business model, the company has identified the long-term goals, not just for integration process. They have also defined the future for the entire integrated company: in two years we must become a universal telecommunications operator. Acquisition of the Synterra Group is the first and strategically essential step towards this major goal. Their integration will give them an opportunity to create a universal operator for providing a wide range of telecommunication services to any kind of customers.
MegaFon completes USD745 million Synterra purchase (Russia)
www.WirelessFederation.com/news: USD745 million acquisition of long-distance operator Synterra has been completed by Russian cellco MegaFon following several months of negotiations with owner PromSvyazCapital.
The deal also follows the rumors of a counter bid from Rostelecom.
Both Mobile TeleSystems (MTS) and Vimpelcom, MegaFon’s two larger cellular rivals own extensive long-distance infrastructure which they are in the process of expanding.
Russian cellco MegaFon completes Synterra buyout
www.WirelessFederation.com/news: In a move to speed up expansion of broadband business, the USD710 million buyout of wireless broadband operator Synterra has been completed by Russian cellco MegaFon.
Federal Anti-monopoly Service (FAS) gave clearance to MegaFon at the end of July 2009 to buy 100% of Synterra’s shares. On February 25, 2010, cellco’s board met to approve the acquisition of the telco. According to Sergei Soldatenkov, MegaFon’s director general, Synterra is very important for the company for its backbone network and corporate clients.
Synterra operates the second largest backbone network in Russia and also owns a controlling stake in a number of wireline operators, such as St Petersburg-based PeterStar.
Azerbaijan joins Iran and Russia to improve connectivity in Caspian region
www.WirelessFederation.com/news: The largest stakeholder in Iran based Telecommunication Infrastructure Company, Iranmobin entered into a 50/50 equity joint venture with Russian C-Ring Telecom. C -Ring Telecom is a subsidiary of Russian long-distance operator Synterra while TIC is a unit of fixed line monopoly Telecommunication Company of Iran.
In order to rollout a new fibre-optic ring around the Caspian Sea to handle Europe-Asia voice, Azerbaijan’s AzTelekom forged an agreement with the new venture. The agreement also aims at improving internet service delivery in the Caspian region.
The agreement was signed at trade and economic cooperation summit held in Tehran by Russian and Iranian state and company officials. TIC also signed an agreement with Rostelecom, another Russian carrier, to share international transmission links.
Synterra creates partner network
The Russian wireless internet operator Synterra has announced that it is setting up a pool of regional suppliers and systems integrators which will assist in its rollout of thousands of localised WiMAX networks. The firm says it hopes to sign deals with partners in 1,000 cities by the end of 2008. Synterra has 2.5GHz-2.7GHz licences covering all cities in Russia with more than 100,000 inhabitants; this equates to approximately 126,000 localities, Comnews reports. It also holds a 3.4GHz-3.5GHz concession covering St Petersburg and the Leningrad region, as well as a national permit to operate in the 5.6GHz-5.75GHz range. Synterra has already launched commercial WiMAX networks in a number of cities, including Moscow.
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