Rostelecom (NYSE: ROS; RTS, MICEX: RTKM, RTKMP), Russia's national long-distance telecommunications operator, today announced that the Company provided its equipment to support the voting for the winner of Eurovision Song Contest 2004 in all Russian regions.

Moscow subscribers were provided by «Televoting» service directly while in the regions Rostelecom opened access to its intelligent network for regional operators of Svyazinvest and mobile telecoms.

G. Khasianova, Commercial Director of Rostelecom, commented: «This year, for the first time in history of Eurovision Song Contest, all the Russians, alongside with the Europeans, have taken part in televoting for the singers they liked. And we are pleased that it took place thanks to Rostelecom's nationwide network and its intelligent network services development».

On May 15, 2004, during the Final Round of Eurovision Song Contest Istanbul 2004, the Russians had opportunity to vote for the winner. To organize televoting Rostelecom provided 24 numbers (8 809 200 11XX) — one for each participant of the contest. The calls were interpreted on the intelligent network basis and the results were transmitted to the single communications platform of the European operator in real-time operation mode — thus the results from all countries were collected.

32 thousand calls were received from Russia and they came from the regions where direct television broadcasting was on.

Rostelecom Headquarters
Address: 14, 1st Tverskaya-Yamskaya street, Moscow, 125047, Russia

Phone: +7 (095) 972–82–83
Fax: (095) 787–28–50