Lipetsk, December 8, 2004. The Decree of the President of Russian Federation N1478 dated November 25, 2004 "On the Russian Federation Government Awards" awarded the Meritorious Communications Employee of the Russian Federation Title of Honor to CenterTelecom Deputy General Director and Director of Lipetsk branch Valery Nikolaev.

Brief curriculum vitae

Nikolaev Valery Georgievich was born on November 26, 1943 in Leningrad region. He graduated from Tashkent Institute of Communications. For a long time he worked in Central Asia and worked his way up from telephone engineer to chief engineer of Fergana Communications Department. Having moved in 1989 to Lipetsk region, Valery Georgievich became the head of Usman communications node. His professionalism, service capability and management talent were duly appreciated: in 1993 Valery Georgievich was put in charge of the enterprise, currently he is managing CenterTelecom Lipetsk branch.

Mr. Nikolaev has been awarded with medals "For valorous work", "The Veteran of Work", Master of Communications Honorary Title, he is the Full Member of Telecommunications and Computer Science Academy, and the International Academy of Communications. In October 2004 the Association of Managers of Russia recognized Mr. Nikolaev as one of the best managers of Russia.

CenterTelecom is a leading fixed communications company providing the entire range of telecommunication services in the Central Federal District where over 20 % of the population of Russia resides. CenterTelecom offers the full range of telecommunication services, including telephony service, the Internet, IP telephony, data communications, CATV, wired and VHF broadcasting. The company actively develops modern multiservice and SDH networks as well as new radio access systems. The Company trades on RTS (ESMO, ESMOP), Moscow Interbank Currency Exchange (CTEL, CTELP) and has ADR Level 1 common stock program (CRMUY).

CenterTelecom Lipetsk branch is a regional operator providing traditional telephony services and new types of communications in Lipetsk region. The percentage of electronic exchange capacity of CenterTelecom Lipetsk branch in Central Federal Region is one of the highest totaling 61.37%, including 80.36% in the regional center, 71.32% in urban, 28.64% in rural areas. The phone density per 100 citizens is 26.63; including 32.26 at the city networks (35.96 in Lipetsk); and 16.38 in the rural areas.