MOSCOW -- May 29, 2008 -- VimpelCom-Communications ("VimpelCom") and Microsoft Corp. today announced a strategic partnership to deliver new connected TV experiences to consumers in Russia and the Commonwealth of Independent States ("CIS") through Corbina TV, which will be powered by the award-winning Microsoft Mediaroom Internet Protocol TV (IPTV) and multimedia software platform. Corbina TV will be operated by Corbina Telecom, a subsidiary of VimpelCom.

The agreement was officially concluded by Jean-Pierre Vandromme, Executive Vice-President of Network Resources Management of VimpelCom and CEO of Golden Telecom, and Steve Ballmer, chief executive officer of Microsoft, in a meeting on Friday May 23 in Moscow. Corbina TV will be the first Microsoft Mediaroom IPTV service in Russia and the CIS.

Based on the Microsoft Mediaroom software platform, Corbina TV will deliver connected and personalized TV services for consumers in Russia and the CIS, with advanced features, such as video on demand (VOD), digital video recording (DVR), instant channel changing, and fast search to quickly and easily look up shows using keywords.

Corbina TV will be delivered as part of a triple-play package to Corbina Telecom subscribers through purchase of a Motorola set-top box, where consumers can chose between one with 160 GB hard disk or one without a hard drive.

Subscribers will be able to watch live or on-demand TV in standard definition (SD) as well as high definition (HD) and enjoy a connected entertainment experience. The service is planned to launch mid-2008.

At launch the service will include more than 100 channels and provide access to over 1,000 films, cartoons and series available on demand.

"Corbina Telecom's fiber-optical network is reaching almost every apartment building in Moscow and many other Russian cities and is known for its speed and reliability, providing its users outstanding Internet service. With the Microsoft Mediaroom solution, Corbina Telecom will also provide its users an outstanding TV service,"commented Dmitry Malov, Vice-President of Corbina Telecom.

As of December 31, 2007, VimpelCom's total number of active subscribers in Russia and the CIS was 51.7 million (including 42.2 million in Russia, 4.6 million in Kazakhstan and 1.9 million in Ukraine).

On February 29, 2008 VimpelCom completed a merger with Golden Telecom, a leading facilities-based provider of integrated telecommunications and Internet services in Russia and the CIS.

VimpelCom was the first Russian company to list its shares on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) in November 1996. Its ADSs (American Depositary Shares) are traded under the symbol "VIP".