OREANDA-NEWS. On 20 June 2008 was MegaFon declared the launch of 3G communications services in all NW regions.

MegaFon continues to fulfill the license on rendering IMT–2000/UMTS mobile services and starts providing 3G services in the territory of 7 RF subjects – Arkhangelsk, Vologda, Kaliningrad, Murmansk, Novgorod, Pskov oblast and the Republic of Karelia.

We remind you that on October 24, 2007 MegaFon was the first Russian GSM-operator to provide the subscribers with unique advantages of 3G services.  The first pan-Russian operator needed less than eight months to display 10-times increase of 3G network in the region and provide a wide range of users with access to grand opportunities of next generation of mobile communications, these opportunities include Internet access, ten times exceeding the usual speed of data transfer (in 2G and 2,5G networks), high-quality “Mobile TV”, video-communications.

“During the days of celebration of 15-th anniversary of GSM standard in Russia we witness secure steps of 3G mobile communications. In NW MegaFon already possesses the experience of rendering 3G services – eight months of using the network in St.Petersburg have demonstrated that new high-tech services are interesting to the broadest category of users. Our strategic goal is to provide full coverage of major cities and populated areas of the region – i.e. places, where mobile high-speed Internet access, video call service, etc. are most popular”, Georgy Getmanez, Director of MegaFon’s NW Branch, says.

 Currently 3G network in St. Petersburg and NW region (UTRAN - UMTS Terrestrial Radio Access Network radio-access subsystem) includes 300 base stations. It secures umbrella coverage of central cities territories and major populated areas of the region. Coverage area of MegaFon’s 3G network includes the following cities: Arkhangelsk, Vologda, Gryaznovetz, Veliky Ustyug, Cherepovez, Sheksna, village of Molochnoye (Vologda oblast); Kaliningrad; Murmansk, Kola (Murmansk oblast); Veliky Novgorod; Pskov; Petrozavodsk, Olonetz, Sortavala (Karelia). Besides, coverage in St. Petersburg and Leningrad oblast was significantly extended (include Luga, Lomonosov, Vyborg, Gatchina, Sosnovy Bor, Priozersk, Novaya Ladoga, Lodeinoye Pole, Losevo village, Levashovo,  Roshino, Bolshaya Izhora, etc.).

 MegaFon 3G network is built upon Nokia Siemens Networks and Huawei Technologies equipment and allows reaching data transfer rates up to 3.6 Mb\s due to employment of HSDPA (High Speed Downlink Packet Access) technology.

Since June 18, 2008, regional subscribers of “MegaFon North-West” can use a service of voice and image simultaneous transmission - “Videocall”. The service is available within the 3G network coverage given that both subscribers have handsets supporting UMTS standard. The price per an outcoming call (per subscriber of MegaFon NW) in terms of the service totals RUR 5 including VAT per minute of a videocall; incoming videocalls are free.

Besides, there are other tariff options available to subscribers, such as “Express 500” and “Express 1000” (packages for 500 and 1000 Mb of traffic in terms of “Mobile Internet”* service for RUR 1200 and 1500).

To make usage of data services more convenient, MegaFon offers its subscribers a package called “MegaFon-3G Modem” consisting of a mini USB-modem and a SIM-card with a special tariff plan “MegaFon-Modem Plus”. Monthly subscriber fee under the tariff includes 100 Mb of traffic in terms of “Mobile Internet”* service and ranges from RUR 140 to 290 in the regions. All subscribers who bought “MegaFon-3G Modem” receive a bonus of 300** Mb of traffic as a present in terms of “Mobile Internet” service. The price of “MegaFon-3G Modem” package totals RUR 3 990.

We remind you that registration in the 3G network is automatic, MegaFon NW subscribers and visitors do not need to get a new SIM-card or change their usual number. To use services one needs only a handset supporting UMTS standard. Data transmission rate in UMTS is sufficient for comfortable viewing of WEB-pages and getting mobile TV of good quality. However the most demanding subscribers can use data services at much higher rates – up to 3.6 Mb/s. This capacity is available to users of handsets with HSDPA technology.

All tariffs mentioned include VAT.

*  by internet, internet.nw, fixedip.nw access points.

* time of traffic usage is 180 days (including the date of addition). Bonus Mb are given as 50 Mb each 30 days. Bonus Mb not used within 30 days are canceled.