Russian mobile subscribers jump 2.3 times

In 2002, the number of mobile subscribers rocketed 2.3 times in Russia to 17.7 million, Russian Communications Minister Leonid Reiman reported at today's meeting of the Ministry's board. At the same time, the number of regional subscribers jumped over three times last year against 2001, and overcame 8.5 million. The level of mobile communications penetration advanced from 5.6 to 12.5 percent in Russia.

Within the implementation of the government's decree on the development of satellite communications, five communications and broadcasting satellites of the new Express AM series are currently being constructed. The government also decided to transfer analog satellite broadcasting to digital technologies, which suggests the streamlining of the satellite distribution system and the ground network of radio and TV broadcasting throughout Russia in 2003-2005, Reiman pointed out.