The Russian mobile operator VimpelCom has confirmed that it has secured a $3.5 billion (€2.4 billion) syndicated loan to buy the alternative carrier Golden Telecom. The providers of the loan include ABN Amro Bank, Barclays Capital and UBS Limited, and Golden Telecom shareholders are expected to decide on the sale by the end of this week (February 15). Golden Telecom and its subsidiary Corbina Telecom are currently rolling out a national FTTH network in Russia that will eventually offer triple play services in 65 cities. The VimpelCom take-over of Golden Telecom will be worth $4.3 billion.
