(Telecompaper) Russian mobile operator MTS has awarded a contract to Ericsson for equipment supplies for LTE networks in the Volga, Siberia, Urals and Southern Russia regions. Ericsson will start supplies by the end of this month and serve as the main vendor for over half the national network. At least 10,000 LTE base stations will be supplied by Ericsson under the first stage of the programme. Ericsson also will provide the operator with core network equipment and services in North-Western Russia, and MTS and Ericsson plan to cooperate on developing GSM and 3G networks in numerous regions. MTS plans to have LTE networks in 15 regions in Russia by the end of 2013. Financial details of the contract with Ericsson were not disclosed.