MTS NewsOREANDA-NEWS. September 21, 2016. PJSC MTS (NYSE: MBT; MOEX: MTSS), the leading telecommunications operator in Russia, announces that its wholly owned subsidiary, Telecom Povolzhye LLC, has acquired 100% of shares of SMARTS-Yoshkar-Ola CJSC, a regional asset of SMARTS OJSC, a mobile operator active in the Republic of Mari El, for a price of RUB 41 mln including debt of RUB 27.7 mln.104977The acquisition will enhance MTS's presence in the Republic of Mari El and provide additional spectrum of 14.8 MHz in the 1800 Mhz range to allow MTS to further develop LTE networks.

The deal has been concluded according to framework agreements regarding the resolution of legal disputes and mutual claims, which arose at the end of 2015 as a result of the acquisition of several companies by MTS from SMARTS Group. The price paid for the asset remains the same as was initially determined by a contract concluded between MTS and SMARTS Group in 2014.

MTS has received approvals of the Federal Antimonopoly Service (FAS) and all of the necessary corporate approvals.