Company profile

Market share in Moscow Moscow License Area cellular penetration

From its inception, VimpelCom has played a key role in the development of the Russian cellular telecommunications industry. VimpelCom introduced two digital cellular communications standards to Russia and built the first dual band GSM–900/1800 cellular network. VimpelCom also led the development and emergence of the mass consumer market for wireless communications in Russia by introducing a prepaid product solution.

By capturing people’s imagination through product innovation, VimpelCom is leading Russian consumers into the new wireless information age. In 2000, VimpelCom successfully introduced new technologies, such as WAP and "BeeOnline", a multi–access Internet portal, which offer a multitude of wireless information and entertainment services, including location–based features.

As of the end of 2000, VimpelCom’s total subscriber base was approximately 833,600, with approximately 780,100 subscribers in the Moscow License Area.

VimpelCom was the first Russian company to list its shares on the New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE") in November 1996. VimpelCom’s ADSs are listed on the NYSE under the symbol "VIP". In July 2000, VimpelCom successfully completed an offering of its securities raising $225.4 million. The first for a Russian company, this offering included US SEC registered convertible notes. VimpelCom’s convertible notes are listed on the NYSE under the symbol "VIP 05".