Russia's government has signed a set of regulations on issuing new long-distance phone licences, a Telecoms Ministry official said on Monday, bringing closer an end to the monopoly position of Rostelekom. "The new licensing regulation has been signed," said the official who asked not to be named. Analysts say Rostelekom stands to lose up to a third of its business when the reform comes into force, which also requires the signing of two other sets of regulations on setting up and linking phone networks.

It was not clear whether the two other documents had been signed. Officials had said they expected the signing in early February.

As part of its talks toward joining the World Trade Organisation, Russia promised the European Union it would end Rostelekom's monopoly by 2007.

Copyright Reuters, 2005