On 4th October 2004 a meeting was held in Syktyvkar between V.A. Akulich, General Manager of North-West Telecom JSC and V.A. Torlopov, Head of the Komi. Republic. As the result of meeting the agreemnt of mutual cooperation between the Government of the Republic of Komi and North-West Telecom JSC has signed

The following areas have been recognized as the priority areas of cooperation between the Government of the Republic of Komi and JSC NWT under the agreement:  

• development of the material and technical basis of the Svyaz of Komi branch of NWT JSC in compliance with the General Plan of Networks Development OJSC NWT, the Target Programme Developing an Information and Communication Network in the Republic of Komi and the Target Programme Social Development of the Village till 2010.       
• digitalization of communication networks in the Republic  
• meeting the needs of the population and enterprises in communication services as much as possible   
• introducing new technologies and services, construction of multi-service networks
• implementing socially significant programmes and projects in the territory of the Republic of Komi, including installation of telephone sets for disabled veterans and participants of World War II.    

The parties have agreed upon interaction and exchange of information to ensure the Company’s safety and to facilitate fighting terrorism. 

The Agreement was signed in the framework of implementing the programme of meetings of the management of North-West Telecom JSC with heads of administrations, in whose territories Company branches operate.  It has not been by chance that the meeting of the managers of NWT JSC and the Head of the Komi Republic has been the first meeting, as the Republic of Komi is a strategically important region of the Northwestern Federal District with a high economic development potential on the whole, including communication.       

On the 1st of October the reorganization process was completed, and Svyaz of Komi JSC has become a branch of North-West Telecom JSC. The integration of Svyaz of Komi JSC into NWT JSC – a company operating at the interregional level – is expanding the investment possibilities of the branch, opening real prospects of building a transportation network and ensuring a fuller use of the Republic’s telecommunication potential.       

Durng a briefing that was held after the Agreement was signed, Vladimir Akulich, General Manager of North-West Telecom JSC noted: “In nearest future our Company will start introducing in the Republic a set of services on the basis of multi-service networks. Besides, NWT’s plans for the next year include making Komi a transit region from the point of view of communication and ensuring “the spread” of the network outside the boundaries of the region at the highest level.”