In Russia’s landline services, the most important participant is the state monopolist Svyazinvest, presently going through a major reorganization. This company is a result of the Soviet national telecommunication monopoly, and even now, it holds the controlling share of the Russian telecommunication market.

In the early 1990s, the Soviet Communications Bureau (Ministry) discontinued most of its telephone ventures, keeping only its regulatory operations. Yet, the ministry did not leave the market entirely and kept its prevailing share in Svyazinvest. Svyazinvest manages 82 of the Russia’s 87 local telephone operators and holds a minority share in the remaining five. It owns more than 90 percent of the Russia’s local landline infrastructure.

However, Soviet Union left Svyazinvest with more of its telephone infrastructure than it could manage and Svyazinvest began leasing a part of it to other companies. Some of these telephone service operators grabbed the opportunity to grow and some even became strong competitors to Svyazinvest. Analysts say that, presently, Svyazinvest holds 60 percent of the landline telecommunication market, and independents own 40 percent.

There are three main mobile network companies in Russia: BeeLine, Megafon, and MTS. The services, prices, and coverage provided by these companies are rather alike. Mainly they offer voice and text services. The networks cover most cities and rural regions in European part of Russia. They cover main Siberian cities, as well. There are some areas, like small villages, that have no coverage at all. They are so-called “blank spots.”

In addition, a number of local operators provide services in local networks. They do not generally offer national services, and phone calls outside their networks are very expensive. For instance, the local operator BaikalWestCom (Irkuts) offers service only in Irkutsk and Ulan-Ude. To call via their network to Moscow would be very expensive. When travelling in Russia, using mobile phone services is a good idea, since it is usually much cheaper than calling from a hotel room.

Russia, which was once a communist country has now discarded that mask and is a country with vast diversities providing an enchanting experience for the tourists. You can explore the imperial St.Petersburg to Siberian villages and understand the true culture prevailing Russia. The ancient cities of Russia namely Moscow, Petersburg and Murmansk are widely popular around the world and attracting more and more tourists every year. If you’ll be visiting Moscow while on vacation, you should take into consideration the wonderful sights and sounds of the city as well as the many tours which are offered for tourists year round.

One of the most popular of these tours covers the most beautiful places within Moscow. You’ll begin your tour at the Red Square and the Kitai-Gorod with the St. Basil’s Cathedral. This architectural wonder of the 16th century will be sure to amaze you. Lubyanka Square which houses the former KGB headquarters will be your next stop, and afterward you’ll visit the Bolshoi Theater with a view of the Kremlin from the opposite embankment.

You’ll also take a tour down New Arbat Street, which serves as an example of minimalist communist style architecture which was prevalent in the 60s. Also in this tour is the White House of Russia, Stalin’s skyscrapers, and Kutuzovsky prospect. The view here offers a panoramic view of Moscow of over 30 kilometers.If you’d like to get a better view of the Kremlin grounds, there are also tours available for showing you around the huge Grounds which houses many of the Cathedral’s and Patriarch’s Palaces located within Moscow.

The small city in the center of Moscow which once housed the Czars and Patriarchs of Russia contains all of Russia’s main cathedrals, such as Assumption Cathedral, Archangel’s Cathedral, and the Deposition of the Robe Cathedral. The Patriarch’s palace which is also houses here is a museum of seventeenth century life and art, which displays furniture and jewelry from the period. This age old palace dates back to 1640 and it incorporates the Church of the Twelve Apostles, which served as a private place of worship for the patriarchs. Each of these tours is guided by a professional English speaking guide which makes sure not only to inform you of the history of the places, but also the cultural and political aspects of Russian life in Moscow.