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RUB169 ($2.65) and does not feature a free ad-supported tier.
Spotify has yet to announce the launch, though
a screengrab of the upcoming service has already leaked. Separately, a report in Russia’s Cnews.ru claims that the RUB150 offer is imminent.
Spotify ended the first quarter of this year with 100mn premium subscribers, up 32% (+25m) year-on-year.
Russia, with a population of 143.9mn people, is the world’s 23rd largest recorded music market, which was worth $98.4mn in 2018, according
to the IFPI.
Huawei pledges up to €705mn in Polish investments
Chinese tech giant Huawei said on July 8 it would invest up to PLN3bn (€705mn) in Poland in the coming five years although the precise value
of the investment plan would depend on the company’s taking part in the development of 5G that the Polish authorities plan.
The pledge appears to have come to ease
the tension between Huawei and the Polish government after an employee of the company and a former Polish security official were arrested earlier this year on espionage charges.
Warsaw said in reaction it could bar Huawei from taking part in getting the 5G network communication standard up and running in Poland. Polish mobile operator Play is about to kick off testing of 5G in the city of Torun. Play will reportedly use Huawei's equipment.
Poland is also wary of the Chinese company’s products and services following the US’ warning they could be a security risk.
“In the next five years, we plan to spend almost PLN3bn in Poland through purchases,” Ryszard
Hordynski, Huawei’s senior director for strategy and communications, told Reuters.
“Huawei wants to develop and invest in Poland, but these investments have to make sense from a business perspective,” Hordynski added.
Belarusian software developer EPAM acquires educational content services company Competentum
New York listed Belarusian software developer EPAM announced it has acquired Russia-based Competentum, an e-learning software and content provider, as well as its learning platform ShareKnowledge on June 2.
Competentum, founded in Russia, has just over 200 employees compared with EPAM’s 31,412 as of 1Q19 and has delivered solutions to companies from eleven countries.
EPAM is by far the most successful company
to emerge from Belarus and develops bespoke software solutions for major multinationals and banks from around the world. The company regularly buys smaller specialist companies to expand its skill set.
“EPAM believes this acquisition will help it to create a more complete service proposition
for those of its clients who are looking for professional development solutions, and plans to augment its Agile Professional Development offerings. ShareKnowledge is to become a part of the solution, which will be used to manage governance, compliance and enterprise risk engagements,” Vladimir Bespalov An anlysts with VTB Capital (VTBC) said in a note.
Slovenia to issue tender for 5G licensing by end 2019
The Slovenian telecommunication regulator AKOS said on July 3 it will call a tender for licensing