Leading Russian operator Mobile TeleSystems (MTS) said this week that it has switched on its first phase 3G network in Moscow.

The indoor network was launched in Expocentre, one of the largest exhibition centres in Eastern Europe, providing data download speeds of up to 3.6Mbps using HSPA.

The company is planning to launch additional indoor 3G networks in the 35 largest business and shopping centres in Moscow throughout 2009, including the Domodedovo International Airport as well as the Moscow metro.

MTS first launched commercial 3G services in Russia in the summer of 2008, and plans to launch 3G in 14 cities during 2008 and in up to 40 cities through 2009.

The company said it plans to invest around $1.6bn in 3G network development over the next three years to provide high speed data services to its customers in Russia and the CIS. The services MTS is making available include video calls and mobile TV, as well as wireless broadband modems for both laptops and desktop PCs.

MTS also holds 3G licenses in Uzbekistan and Armenia, where the networks are scheduled for launch in 2009.