Ministries have been bandying the Svyazninvest privatization around for the last three years, with 2006 being touted as the most likely date, although Minister German Gref suggested in July that it could happen next year.
But Gref told journalists Tuesday that other options were being considered.
"A final decision on privatization has not yet been made," he said, though he added the Ministry of Economic Development and Trade remained in favor of putting the government's 75% share packet on the block.
"We believe privatization is the best [option] for it [Svyazinvest]," he said.
He said the state-owned block of shares could be sold in parts.
The Russian Federal Property Fund holds 25% minus two shares in Svyazinvest and the Federal Property Management Agency holds 50% plus one share. The remaining block is held by Cyprus-based Mustcom Ltd.
The original idea for the holding was that the government-owned package of 75% minus one share would be privatized in a single lot, with the state retaining the "golden share" to be able to influence corporate decisions.
Gref said a final decision on the holding would be made by the end of the year.
