OREANDA-NEWS. Open Joint Stock Company “MegaFon” (LSE: MFON), a leading Russian telecommunications operator (“MegaFon” or the “Company”), announces the completion of the previously announced prepayment of approximately 90% of the consideration due to Garsdale Services Investment Limited (“Garsdale”) for the acquisition of a 100% interest in Maxiten Co Limited, which holds a 100% interest in Scartel/Yota. The prepayment was made pursuant to the terms of a Deed of Amendment dated 06 June 2014 to the original Share Purchase Agreement between MegaFon and Garsdale.

MegaFon OJSC is a leading Russian universal telecommunication service provider, operating in all segments of the telecommunications markets in Russia. The Company and its subsidiaries have licenses to operate in all of the Russian regions and in the Republics of Abkhazia, South Ossetia and Tajikistan.

The Company was the first in Russia to launch 3G for commercial operations. In July 2012 MegaFon was awarded one of four ten-year licenses for the provision of 4G/LTE services throughout the entire Russian Federation and has already started providing these services in 50 different regions. In October 2013 MegaFon completed the acquisition of a 100% interest in Scartel/Yota, which hold significant 4G/LTE licenses, from Garsdale Services Investment Limited, its shareholder and a member of the AF Telecom group (see below). The Company is a leader in the provision of mobile Internet, and in the number two position as to the number of active subscribers in Russia.

As a result of its acquisition of the Synterra Group, one of the leading Russian backbone operators, in September 2010, MegaFon substantially increased its fixed-line B2B and B2G businesses, as well as its provision of fixed broadband services In September 2012 the Company acquired the VAS Media group of companies, which was integrated with MegaLabs, its R&D subsidiary.

In December 2012 the Company acquired a 25% interest in the Euroset retail chain, the largest chain in Russia providing telecommunications goods and services, and is committed to acquire a further 25% by December 2015.

In November 2012 MegaFon successfully completed an initial public offering on the Moscow Stock Exchange and the London Stock Exchange. MegaFon has two principal shareholders, companies in the AF Telecom group (approximately 50.01%) and the TeliaSonera group (approximately 25.17%). Additional shares are held by its CEO, Ivan Tavrin (approximately 2.54%) and by a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company (7.57%, of which Mr. Tavrin has the right to acquire up to 2.5% prior to 2017), while the public float represents approximately 14.71% of the outstanding shares.

In 2009, MegaFon served as the Mobile General Partner of the XXII Winter Olympic Games and XI Paralympic Games held in Sochi in 2014.