Russia's MTS signs MySpace deal

Cell-phone company has 60 million customers

By NICK HOLDSWORTH

MOSCOW — Russian mobile telephone users are to be offered the chance to access MySpace on their handsets in a deal struck between News Corp and MTS, the country’s largest carrier.

The deal — which will be available to 60 million MTS subscribers — will create an exclusive WAP-portal for a tailored Russian-language social platform, MTS said.

MTS is part of Russian industrial conglomerate Sistema that recently set up a joint venture with Russia World Studios to create the country’s largest film production and services company.