Since January 01, 2004, pursuant to Resolution of the Executive Board of the Russian Anti-Monopoly Ministry ? 07/05-6 of May 21, 2003 long-distance telephone tariffs for budget organizations have been raised to the level of such tariffs for residential and business sectors resulting in equalization of long-distance telephone tariffs for all categories of users in the context of two groups of UTK subsidiaries formed according to paying capacity of the region. Thus, one of the main tasks of UTK tariff policy - equalization of telecom tariffs for all categories of customers - has been fulfilled.

Since January 10, 2004, pursuant to Resolution of the Executive Board of the Russian Anti-Monopoly Ministry ? 07/05-10 of December 17, 2003 and Order of the Russian Anti-Monopoly Ministry ? 461 of December 22, 2003 telegraph tariffs have also been increased all over the Russian Federation.

Cost of a word in standard and express telegrams rose by 18,8% to 0,95 ruble and 1,90 rubles accordingly. Telegraph charges for all kinds and categories on telegrams was up 25% to 5,00 rubles. Average tariff growth has made 20%.