Russia’s VimpelCom plans to launch its own online video service, working in partnership with the existing operation Okko.
Vedomosti reports that negotiations between the two parties are likely to be concluded shortly.
It adds that the new service will be opearted on a ‘white label’ basis, with VimpelCom using technoilogy developed by Okko but without mentioning its name.
Significantly, the cooperation includes an option for VimpelCom to buy Okko.
Although there are currently around two dozen online video operations in Russia, large telcos, with the notable exception of Rostelecopm, have until now been largely not involved in the market.