RPT-Fitch affirms OJSC Rostelecom at 'BBB-'; outlook stable  Wed
Aug 28, 2013 4:24am EDT  (Repeat for additional subscribers)
Aug 28 (Reuters) - (The following statement was released by the
rating agency)  Fitch Ratings has affirmed OJSC Rostelecom's
Long-term Issuer Default Rating (IDR) at 'BBB-' with a Stable
Outlook. A full list of rating actions is at the end of this
comment.  Rostelecom is the Russian fixed-line incumbent
operator benefiting from only limited facilities-based
competition and benign regulatory environment. It is a strategic
asset for the government and the company's ratings benefit from
one notch for potential support.   Established Incumbent Status
Rostelecom holds a strong incumbent position in the traditional
voice fixed-line segment, complemented by its broadband market
leadership. Given the lack of local loop unbundling, the
company's fixed-line market shares are likely to be preserved.
The key risk is fixed-line customer disconnections, which Fitch
expects to remain moderate compa