Tele2 Russia committed to expand mobile network coverage and capacity in the Republic of Mordovia as part of a government plan to improve access to telecoms services in the area.
An agreement signed by Tele2 Russia's CEO Mikhail Noskov and chairman of the Republic's government Vladimir Sushkov will see the operator invest an undisclosed sum in large scale network construction and upgrades, as the government seeks to offer high quality, low cost, mobile services to citizens in the area, which lies in the East European plain of Russia.
Noskov said Tele2 Russia will invest in the rollout of 3G and 4G networks in the republic during the back half of 2015 as part of the agreement.
The operator has also opened a new contact centre in Saransk -- the republic's capital city -- that combines its operations in the Volga District and Central Russia. The centre will handle queries from 8.5 million mobile users in those areas, and will also be responsible for handling Tele2 Russia's subscribers in the city of Moscow and the Moscow region once the operator begins services in those areas.
Noskov added that the agreement with the Republic of Mordovia is part of a long-term commitment to the region that will "contribute to higher affordability of mobile services and improvement of economic climate in the region." The operator's investment in 3G and 4G networks will also "support initiatives of authorities aimed at the economic and social sphere in the republic," he said.
Vladimir Volkov, head of the Republic of Mordovia, said the agreement will contribute to more than just the development of local businesses and the area's economy.
Robust mobile networks will be critical to providing "world class mobile services" to people attending the 2018 FIFA World Cup, Volkov added, noting that Saransk is one of the host cities for the football event.
For more:
- see this Tele2 Russia release
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