Communications provider Sky Link, the largest CDMA operator in the Russian Federation, and Qualcomm, which develops advanced wireless technologies and data solutions, have signed an agreement to commercially launch BREW wireless data services in 31 regions of the Russian Federation, as well as in countries of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) and Eastern Europe, including Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Romania and Slovakia. Under the terms of the agreement, Sky Link will deliver BREW services to subscribers within its network of licensed territories, and also host BREW services on behalf of regional operators to deliver advanced mobile content to millions of consumers.

Sky Link launched BREW services on a single device to its subscribers in Moscow and Saint Petersburg in November 2006. In 2007, Sky Link recognized the growth in popularity of non-voice data services in other regions of Russia and saw profits from all of its high-speed mobile data services grow to 35% of its annual revenues. With this latest agreement, BREW data services will be launched within Sky Links network and partner operator networks by Q3 2008 on a number of BREW devices. Leveraging its CDMA450 network and advanced BREW applications and services, Sky Link will provide its subscribers with access to the latest in mobile content, including mobile games, ringtones, media players and mobile business services.

“Since launching BREW in Russia in late 2006, weve had very successful results in offering data services to subscribers in Moscow and Saint Petersburg, with the popularity of non-voice data services greatly increasing in other regions of Russia,” says Sky Link CEO, Gulnarah Hasianova. “This new agreement greatly expands BREW data services, enabling us to provide content to our subscribers in Russia, as well as to the operators we provide voice and data roaming to in Eastern Europe and other regions of the Russian Federation. In addition, with our planned future launch of CDMA2000 1xEV-DO Rev. A technology, we will be able to offer video services to our subscribers.”
Qualcomm Internet Services enables mobile retailing solutions and Internet services that accelerate consumer adoption and usage of mobile data worldwide for its operator, brand & affinity and content provider customers. Its BREW and BrandXtend solutions are aimed at customers seeking to bring high-value wireless services to market and enhance the mobile experience for consumers. Customers also can benefit from a portfolio of adaptable, modular products that can be used to address specific mobile retail needs, from general merchandizing to personalised recommendations.