MTS launches first Russian mobile network in Antarctic

MOSCOW, Jan 21 (PRIME) -- Russia’s major mobile operator MTS has installed a base station in the Antarctic, and a GSM network is rolled out on the territory of the country’s local station Progress, the operator said on Tuesday in a statement.

“MTS opened the base station in the framework of a joint project with the Russian Antarctic Expedition. A stable signal covers residential and work modules of station Progress, the aerodrome’s area and the bay where ships berth,” MTS said.

Earlier, connection was provided via an IP phone at the station, and employees used walkie-talkies. Now they have voice connection, and the cellular signal can locate staff during work.

MTS engineers rolled out the network within less than two months, trips to and from the Antarctic included.

The network’s main users are the expedition’s members working at Progress, researchers coming to the station, journalists and other guests. In addition to MTS clients, the network can be used by subscribers of international operators with whom the operator has roaming agreements.

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