MOSCOW—Sonic Duo, which has the third GSM license in Moscow, finally launched a test operation of its network in the Russian capital.
After several delays caused by the absence of frequencies, Sonic Duo began operating thanks to the St. Petersburg-based North-Western GSM, with which it merged into the pan-Russian Megafon project.
In Moscow handsets now display three available GSM networks. Besides Mobile TeleSystems (MTS) and Vimpelcom (BeeLine), they also show NWGSM. Sonic Duo network has the same code as North-Western GSM.
Sonic Duo earlier said it would launch its network in the third quarter of 2001 and would begin with serving roamers. Its merger with North-Western GSM allowed the latter to expand to the Moscow market.
