History
VimpelCom was founded in 1992 and initially operated AMPS/D-AMPS network in Moscow area. In 1996 it became the first Russian company listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: VIP).
In 1997 the company began GSM network roll-out. In 2001 it started GSM networks throughout Russia's regions, having gradually increased its regional presence to the majority of Russia's territory.
In 2004, VimpelCom, in its first move outside Russia's territory, acquired Kazakhstani cellular operator KaR-Tel (brand names K-Mobile and Excess). In November 2005 VimpelCom stepped further with foreign acquisitions by acquiring 100% of Ukrainian RadioSystems, a marginal Ukrainian GSM operator operating under Wellcom and Mobi brands. The deal has been surrounded by a controversy involving two major shareholders of VimpelCom: the Russian Alfa Group and Telenor, the incumbent telco in Norway.
The company's current (as of July 2008) license portfolio covers a territory where 97% of Russia's population resides, as well as 100% of the territory of Kazakhstan, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Georgia and Armenia. VimpelCom also has a 49.9% stake in Euroset, the largest mobile retailer in Russia and the CIS.
In May 2010, VimpelCom merged with Kyivstar to form VimpelCom Ltd., the largest telecom operator group in the CIS. Alexander Izosimov, the CEO of OJSC VimpelCom, was appointed its president.
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