Yota and Microsoft receive industry recognition with Global Telecoms Business Innovation Award 2009 for first GSM+Mobile WiMAX mobile phone to be launched in Russia

18 June 2009 - Yota and Microsoft have received the Global Telecoms Business Innovation Award in the ‘International Consumer Services Innovation’ category for Yota’s development of the ‘First 4G Mobile Phone’, the MAX 4G, in partnership with Microsoft. The device is the first GSM+Mobile WiMAX mobile phone to be launched in Russia and comes installed with Microsoft Windows Mobile 6.1 software. It will be available to all Yota mobile customers, offering them innovative mobile services with faster connections to the same range of applications that they use on their computers in their homes and offices.

The Global Telecoms Business Innovation Awards reward the most innovative projects and initiatives undertaken by companies in the telecommunications industry. Around 250 industry leaders from around the world attend the ceremony every year, which was held at the Sheraton Park Lane Hotel in London in 2009.

Dennis Sverdlov, Chief Executive Officer, Yota, said, “We are delighted to have received this prize with our partner Microsoft. It is a real recognition of Yota’s commitment to continuous innovation.”

In partnership with Microsoft, Yota has brought fast and reliable mobile broadband Internet to Russia’s two largest cities Moscow and St. Petersburg. Over 20 million people can now access Yota Mobile WiMAX services including Video on Demand, Music and TV all via their HTC handset.

Andrew Lund, Director CEE/CIS Communications Sector, Microsoft, said, “We would like to thank Global Telecoms Business for acknowledging the innovative combined Yota-Microsoft solution. Such recognition is a testament to our innovation development and evidence of leadership in the Russian and CIS markets.”

Alan Burkitt-Gray, editor of Global Telecoms Business, said, “This project stood out, even though the competition was strong, and it just had to be one of the winners. Well done to all involved.”

GTB Innovation Awards and Summit 2009: http://tinyurl.com/gtbinnov02