Svyazinvest's bosses will therefore have power over almost all of Russia's communications system (in many regions, the local telephone firms also hold the first cellular-telephone licences).
Richard's game is broadband and if he does get hold of HKT he would probably sell off the the international call business and the cellular phone division.
The service will reportedly be available on Windows and Mac next week, with iOS, Blackberry and Android by October, but speaking of promises, Borislow said plans for the company's legally-ambiguous femtocell are now on hold -- the device can't legitimately muster up enough power without a cellular carrier on board.