Aug 22. Mobile TeleSystems (MTS) signed an agreement on the promotion of iPhone telephones in Russia, a source on the Russian telecommunications market said. According to the same source, iPhone sales under the agreement signed with MTS that operates 3G networks will begin in October. MTS did not confirm this information. Earlier market sources said that other Big 3 operators – VimpelCom and MegaFon – could enter into iPhone sale agreements with Apple in the near future. Apple promotes iPhone telephones in most countries using a model according to which phones are operated in the networks of those providers that are the company's exclusive partners. Experts and representatives of Russian operators have said on numerous occasions that the model, on which Apple insists, will not work in Russia and China. As a result, at least all Big 3 operators are expected to sign agreements with the American company. Furthermore, it is very likely that operators will not pay Apple interest from revenue derived from each iPhone subscriber, as is the case in other countries. Also, according to a source, Russian subscribers, opposed to those from other countries, will not be under obligation to sign long-term service agreements (usually 18-24 months) with a mobile operator.