Our Operations in Russia
Telenor Group owns 33.6 per cent of common and 29.9 per cent of voting shares in VimpelCom, one of the largest telecom operators in Russia and the CIS. The company provides mobile and landline communications services as well as broadband Internet in nine countries.
Telenor is represented on the VimpelCom Board with three directors, who actively participate in strategic and operational decisions. Telenor is always ready to share experience gained in 14 countries where we operate while ensuring high standards of corporate governance.
Key facts about VimpelCom
Second-largest telecom operator in Russia and the CIS by number of subscribers
Revenues of RUB 275.2 billion (as of 2009)
65.1 million subscribers (as of 2009)
Services offered in nine countries
38,403 employees (as of 31 December 2008)
First Russian company to be listed on NYSE (“VIP”)
Balanced strategy
VimpelCom strategy is to grow the shareholder value through geographical expansion and technological development. The company is focused on implementing third-generation technologies 3G and enhancing broadband services in its countries of presence. Apart from the CIS countries, VimpelCom also actively explores other fast growing mobile markets of the world.
Global telecom operator
As of 2009, VimpelCom had 65.1 million subscribers. Companies comprising the Group operate in Russia, Kazakhstan, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Georgia and Armenia as well as in Vietnam and Cambodia. In most countries VimpelCom operates under the Beeline brand. The cumulative population of these nine countries is 340 million people.
Beeline - a valuable brand
In 2009, VimpelCom’s brand Beeline entered top 10 of the most valuable telecom brands and the top 100 valuable global brands. The rating created by the Financial Times and the Millward Brown Optimor research company valued the Beeline brand at $8.9 billion. The Beeline brand was shown as having the highest positive impact on the financial and operational results of any Russian company. In addition, international consulting company Interbrand Zintzmeyer & Lux AG named Beeline as the most expensive Russian brand for the fourth year running.
Leader in technological innovation
Many innovative services now taken for granted by Russian and CIS mobile and broadband subscribers were actually first introduced by VimpelCom. The Company was the first to offer its subscribers such mobile data transfer technologies as EDGE, GPRS and MMS. VimpelCom currently offers 3G services in 40 Russian largest cities and has 3G licenses in Uzbekistan and Armenia.
Stable market positions
The financial success of VimpelCom is remarkable. Despite the changing economic landscape, VimpelCom is financially stable, with 2009 revenues coming in at RUB 275.2 billion and OIBDA (Operating Income Before Depreciation and Amortization) of RUB 135.2 billion.
