Penza, 2 September 2014. PenzaNews. Over one billion rubles is allocated on upgrading mobile network system in the Penza region by the end of 2014, according to the results of the meeting with local mobile operators in the regional government on Tuesday, September 2.

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The event was held at the initiative of governor Vasily Bochkarev, who expressed his concern over the low quality of communication in the areas of the region, where over 63 thousand residents in 149 villages are out of coverage.

The following people and organizations were invited: Alexei Bryukhachev, director of Penza branch of OJSC MegaFon; Viktor Orlov, director of Penza branch of OJSC VimpelCom; Mikhail Sergatskov, director of Penza branch of JSC NCC; Nikolai Karnaukhov, deputy technical director of JSC Penza-GSM; and Gennady Belikov, head of network operations in Penza of OJSC MTS.

Opening the meeting, deputy chairman of the Penza region government Valery Bespalov noted that the coverage is necessary not only for making everyday calls, but also for reaching the 112 emergency service number in case of a traffic accident on federal highways.

According to mobile operator representatives, the problematic areas of the highways with absolutely no base station signal are usually located outside the regional settlements on challenging terrain and lack any infrastructure.

It is expected that the investments of one billion rubles will allow covering 30 more villages with cellular network signal, and provide 12 regional centers with fourth-generation LTE network coverage.

According to the press service of the government of the Penza region, Valery Bespalov also offered jointly develop a program to improve the communication quality in remote locations, so that within a two-year period the region would be fully equipped with the base stations of the five largest operators.