Lipetsk, February 8, 2005. CenterTelecom has built and commissioned an in-zone SDH network on the basis of fiber-optic communication lines in Lipetsk region. The project was completed one year ahead of time.

The last section of Dolgorukovo - Zadonsk in-zone network 60.7 km long closing the fourth in-zone regional fiber-optic ring was put into operation by CenterTelecom Lipetsk branch in the beginning of Q4 2004. The project scope comprised laying 777.6 km of fiber-optic cable. In-zone fiber-optic network of Lipetsk region, including that utilized in cooperation with Rostelecom, stretches for 1 021.95 km. With the completion of the construction, the backbone network of in-zone communications has become 100% digital.

The SDH network has STM-1, STM-4 level circular structure, which significantly increases the communication reliability and enables the company to provide modern multiservice network services and meet different requirements in terms of data volume, capacity and quality anywhere in Lipetsk region. City exchanges and substations of Lipetsk were linked with STM-1, STM-4, and STM-16 fiber-optic lines with the total length of 165 km back in 1999.

CenterTelecom is a leading fixed communications company providing the entire range of telecommunication services in the Central Federal District where over 20 % of the population of Russia resides. CenterTelecom offers the full range of telecommunication services, including telephony service, the Internet, IP telephony, data communications, CATV, wired and VHF broadcasting. The company actively develops modern multiservice and SDH networks as well as new radio access systems. The Company trades on RTS (ESMO, ESMOP), Moscow Interbank Currency Exchange (CTEL, CTELP) and has ADR Level 1 common stock program (CRMUY).