Vimpel-Communications has recommended an interim dividend of RUB 190.13 per ordinary share or $0.32 per ADR for the nine months of 2009. The total payout could be RUB 9.75 billion, or $324 million at the official exchange rate for September 30.

Vimpel-Communications reported earnings results for the nine months ended September 2009. For the period, the company’s net profit rose 55% on the year to RUB 51.01 billion, as calculated under Russian Accounting Standards. The company's revenue rose 15% on the year to RUB 149.66 billion.

It is quite likely that Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd. (BSNL) will table a financial bid for a majority stake in Zambia Telecommunications Company Ltd (Zamtel). “We are doing due diligence at the moment after qualifying in the first round. I think there is great possibility that we will put up the financial bid for Zamtel based on our estimation emerging out of the current due diligence process”, BSNL CMD Mr. Kuldeep Goyal said. On November 15, chairman and managing director of Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Limited (MTNL), the other company that has also been shortlisted for the second-round of bidding process, Mr. RSP Sinha said the company was interested in Zamtel. The government of Zambia is selling a stake of around 51% - 75% of in Zamtel. The process is likely to be concluded in the first quarter of 2010. Telkom SA Ltd. has also been shortlisted. The pre-qualified companies and consortia have been invited to participate in the due diligence process that has commenced from November 2 and will continue till December 23. Others on the shortlist are a consortium of Vimpel-Communications and Altimo, the telecom arm of The Alfa Group; a consortium of Orascom Telecom Holding SAE and Telecel Globe; UNITEL, a consortium of UNITEL Hellas S.A. and Angola Cables SA; Portugal Telecom SGPS SA; and a consortium of LAP Greencom and LAP Green Networks.