Yota set to introduce shared infrastructure model in Russia

Russian WiMAX operator Yota has announced a plan to deploy a US$2 billion LTE network covering 180 cities with a total population of more than 70 million citizens by 2014.

The network will then be offered on a virtual operator basis to four of the country’s main mobile network operators – Beeline, Megafon, MTS and Rostelekom.

The four networks have also been granted options to buy 20 per cent stakes in Yota once the network is completed in 2014.

State entity Russian Technologies, which currently owns 25.1 per cent in Yota has supported the agreement.

"This deal is an endorsement of our vision for the future of the telecom industry. We firmly believe in the separation of network ownership and service provision and believe that this ground-breaking agreement will drive innovation and benefit Russian consumers, commented Yota CEO Dennis Sverdlov, in a statement.

Yota currently operates networks in Russia, Belarus and Nicaragua and expects to launch in Peru shortly.