General Manager of VivaCell Ralph Yirikian delivered public lecture at the American University of Armenia

July 1, 2008, Yerevan, Armenia – VivaCell, a subsidiary of Mobile TeleSystems OJSC (NYSE: MBT), announces that today, on its third anniversary, at the American University of Armenia the General Manager of VivaCell Ralph Yirikian delivered public lecture “VivaCell – A Business with a Mission”. Invited by the Departments of Industrial Engineering, VivaCell General Manager met with students, the faculty and alumni representing all AUA departments, to deliver lecture about VivaCell successful strategy of business development, technical development of network, marketing strategy and Corporate Social Responsibility agenda, and to answer their questions.

Opening up the lecture, VivaCell General Manager said:”Three years ago we dared to dream and commit. And today I can say we managed to make a difference. On the 1st of July, 2005, the first call made within VivaCell network marked the beginning of a new era in Armenia’s mobile communications sector. In the course of the next three years, our company managed to become the choice of Armenians by bringing affordable, high-quality and cost-efficient GSM services to nearly every Armenian house. However, above all, Armenia’s leading mobile operator has been always driven by responsibility and belonging towards the Armenian society - VivaCell set the track for a solid partnership between a commercial organization and society, building on the belief that company should share with the society part of its revenue.”

In his one-hour lecture followed by a question and answer session, VivaCell General Manager introduced to the faculty and students the market vision of the company and the dynamics of company’s development. Among the major topics of the lecture were the role of continuous innovations in the overall efficiency of the company, including its state-of-the-art network and end products and services used by the customer. Aspects of market competition, effective marketing and network implementation strategies were also covered in the lecture. The General Manager of VivaCell also reconfirmed company’s strong belief in the value of dynamic, professional and innovative staff in sustaining company’s business efficiency and market leadership positions.

“VivaCell has managed to spearhead the development of the telecommunication sector in Armenia due to its leadership in providing innovative and reliable mobile voice and data products and services, and by providing tailored solutions for different market segments”, continued Ralph Yirikian. “Our strategy has proven to be successful - excellent network coverage is the competitive advantage of VivaCell, which has managed to roll-out and build a reliable modern radio network all over Armenia within a short period of time.” Equally important, according to VivaCell General Manager, is the continuously expanding and extensive network of service centers across the country in order to be as close as possible to its subscribers. “The best is yet to come with the benefits of the license to provide 3G services”, concluded VivaCell General Manager.

VivaCell is the number 1 taxpayer of Armenia and a national employer, consistently ranking as one of the best places to work in Armenia. It provides new horizons for young Armenian specialists who are provided with long-term workplace and opportunity for promising career in an international firm. Many of AUA alumni are working with VivaCell.