OREANDA-NEWS. “COMSTAR – United TeleSystems” today announced that it had sold its 45% equity stake in ZAO “Metrocom” ("Metrocom"), an alternative fixed-line telecommunications operator based in St. Petersburg to сlosed joint-stock company “MST”. The shares have been sold for a cash consideration of US$ 20.0 million. 

Comstar acquired the stake from Antel Holdings LLC in September 2005 for the total cash consideration of US$ 12.2 million. 

Comstar's equity participation in the results of Metrocom will be discontinued with effect from today's date. Financial impact of this transaction will be included in Comstar’s first quarter 2007 financial results.