Russia Golden Telecom signs 10 year contract with Intelsat

World IT Report, May 17, 2004

Intelsat has announced that Golden Telecom, Inc., a leading facilities-based provider of integrated telecommunications and Internet services in Russia and the Commonwealth of Independent States, has signed a 10-year contract with Intelsat for Ku-band satellite capacity for a major expansion of its telecom and Internet services in Russia and Central Asia.

Golden Telecom, a long time user of the Intelsat system, purchased this capacity in addition to its existing multi-transponder contracts with Intelsat.

The additional capacity, totaling over 60 MHz, is provided over satellites located at the 60 degrees E and 83 degrees E orbital locations. An expanded number of Internet, data and regional voice services can now be provided to Internet Service Providers, major business centers, hotels, banks and other corporations that Golden Telecom serves.

"Internet and corporate network services in Russia are growing rapidly, requiring that telecom providers continually improve and grow their networks," said Michal Cupa, COO of Golden Telecom. "Using Intelsat for our connectivity ensures that we have the network flexibility to expand and grow our business as and when it is needed to accommodate increased public demand for our services."

Russia falls under the footprint of all of the nine Intelsat satellites that provide coverage of the region. Because of its size, Russia is the only country in the world able to utilize satellites located in any or all of the three ocean regions. In addition to Golden Telecom, Intelsat currently serves major oil & gas operators, banks, ISPs, television networks and international and national operators in Russia by providing corporate network, Internet, data and other services.