OREANDA-NEWS. October 29, 2010. COMSTAR – United TeleSystems (OJSC COMSTAR-UTS, LSE: CMST), the leading supplier of integrated telecommunication solutions in Russia and the CIS, has issued the Company social report 2009. It is available both in Russian and English, and is published at the Group Corporate Social Responsibility section of the corporate web site. Besides, COMSTAR-UTS provided video content to support the Group social report, available here.

“This is a candid and straightforward narration of our work, success and challenges, prospects and plans, a chance to look at ourselves from the side to a certain extent, to analyze the success and problems, to get new reasons to live and develop,” Sergey Pridantsev, President of COMSTAR-UTS Group of Companies, said during presentation of COMSTAR-UTS Social Report 2009. “Our guidelines are to conduct fair business in good faith, to comply with the legislation and international behaviour standards, to contribute to sustainable development of the society, its welfare, to consider interests of generations to come, to respect human rights. This helps us to earn the most valuable asset, the confidence of our clients and business partners, respect and support of the government. This is the source of our strength, common stability, our main asset, intangible for any crisis or calamities.”

This is the third social report of COMSTAR-UTS. While preparing the report, the Group of companies was guided by GRI G3 Reporting Guide in Sustainable Development, as well as Appendices for telecommunication industry.

There was public affirmation of the report by the independent third party represented by the Russian Union of Manufacturers and Entrepreneurs. Opinion based on the results of public affirmation is available in the chapter “Public affirmation.”

The Report is based on the COMSTAR-UTS Corporate Social Responsibility Policy, which is reflected on a daily basis in the approaches, intentions and activities of the Group. Besides, to determine the important issues liable for incorporation into the Report, key stakeholders were consulted, with the best Russian and international non-financial reporting practice being studied.

The Report includes major aspects of Corporate Social Responsibility Policy, COMSTAR-UTS contribution to development of Company presence regions and telecommunication industry, corporate devices providing performance reliability and quality, description of key charity and social projects of the Group, analysis of relationships with key stakeholders regarding the CSR.

COMSTAR-UTS social responsibility represents social commitments and allows to enhance nationwide interests, including     increased accessibility of up-to-date communication services, provision of secure Internet access and promotion of innovative development of the country. From 2008, COMSTAR-UTS joined the Social Charter incorporated upon the initiative and with support of the Russian Union of Manufacturers and Entrepreneurs. From 2009, COMSTAR-UTS has been consistently implementing program called “Safe Internet. Useful Internet”. The Group of companies has joined the charter of Russian operators fighting against child pornography, took part in the Russia’s Year of Safe Internet social federal project, has conducted and continues to work on series of large-scale activities aimed at development of favourable “ecosystem” in Runet to introduce the services making it possible for the users to independently control access to Web content.