"Commission members have made an important decision to assign frequency bands 1,935-1,980 MHz, 2,010-2025 MHz and 2,125-2,170 MHz to create IMT-2000/UMTS standard mobile networks on Russian territory," the commission said.
Third-generation mobile networks, pioneered in Japan and South Korea, offer enhanced services, including high-speed data transmission. Experts say 3G technologies will help operators improve their range of services.
The licenses will be issued via tenders, which will be announced in the next 45 days, the commission said.
Winners will have to coordinate their operations in each region with the Defense Ministry to avoid wave interference with military electronic equipment. The ministry has been opposed to assigning 3G frequencies to civilian organizations, citing security concerns.
The head of the Federal Communications Agency said in September that the number of licenses to provide 3G communications services across Russia will be restricted.
Andrei Beskorovainy also suggested that three or four operators will receive licenses, adding that network coverage will not be a key criterion in selecting operators.
Two of Russia's Big Three leading operators, MTS and MegaFon, hold licenses that cover almost the whole of Russian territory, whereas VimpelCom, the third, does not have a license to provide services in the Far East.
A research firm said in mid-August that mobile phone penetration in Russia reached 98.5% as of the end of July.
