St Petersburg Telecom is the city’s second provider of cellular communications services. It was launched last summer and has a 800MHz NAMPS network; it says it already has around 1,500 subscribers. Its presence has forced rival operator Delta Telecom to cut its tariffs to stay competitive. Another Groupe Speciale Mobile network is expected to be established shortly in St Petersburg. St Petersburg Telecom charges a one time connection fee of $495 and an airtime fee of $0.54, the purchase of the handsets is, of course, extra. The company is a joint venture between the city property committee of the mayor’s office and US company Omni Capital in whom Motorola Inc holds a controlling interest. Executive assistant to the director general, Vladimir Smirnov, says the fact the network is based on Motorola Inc technology would be a major selling point. Smirnov says negotiations are beginning with an Advanced Mobile Phone System network in Moscow on a roaming agreement to enable subscribers to use their cellular handsets in either city.
