Ekaterinburg – August 19, 2005 – Uralsvyazinform (RTS: URSI/URSIP), the leading carrier of fixed-line and mobile services in the Urals region, Russia reports the tariff changes on local and long-distance communication services.

Federal Tariff Service fixed new tariffs on local and long-distance communications services in the Urals region effective from September 1st, 2005. Last time the tariffs were changed on September 1st, 2004.

The tariffs on DLD call services (both intra-regional and backbone lines) for residents and organizations are reduced by 5% on average. On average, monthly rentals for residents increased by 21.9%, and by 15.5% for organizations.

Monthly rentals effective since 1th September, 2005, RUR per month

 

For residents billed on the per-minute basis in Perm and Tyumen regions, the monthly rentals will be RUR 175 (approx. US$ 6.25). This sum includes 300-minute month limit for local calls. In excess of the limit, the time-billed calls will be 0.2 RUR per minute in Perm region (RUR 0.19 previously) and RUR 0.26 per minute in Tyumen region (RUR 0.62 previously). For organizations, the monthly rentals on a per-minute basis will be RUR 229 (US$ 8.2 approx.). The cost for one minute (local calls) will be 0.20 RUR in Perm region and RUR 0.26 in Tyumen region.

According to Valery Zamaraev, Director of Tariff Policy Department, Uralsvyazinform, "with an increase in local tariffs simultaneously with a decrease in long-distance tariffs, we have achieved an overall indexation of tariffs by 8% on average".

For additional information, please contact IR department on tel. +7 (343) 379 1217 or e-mail: investor@gd.usi.ru. The most recent company information is also available at www.uralsviazinform.com, www.skrin.ru (complex disclosure information system - SKRIN) or URSI_RU page in Bloomberg system.