(Telecompaper) Mobile operator Tele2 Russia has launched a 3G network in the city of St Petersburg, the first region where the operator started providing broadband services. The 3G launch resulted from the merger of Tele2 Russia and Rostelecom's mobile assets. The 3G service also covers certain cities and towns in the St Petersburg region. In the first quarter of 2015, the operator plans to expand considerably the network coverage, doubling the number of 3G base stations. By the end of this year, Tele2 also plans to launch the 3G network in the cities of Novosibirsk, Chelyabinsk and Tambov. It will later refarm its 1,800 MHz band frequencies for deploying a LTE network. In the course of 2015, 3G/4G internet services will become available to Tele2 Russia subscribers in over 50 regions. The operator offers the 'Black' range of tariff plans to access the data services. The Dark Black tariff in St. Petersburg includes 3 GB of traffic, unlimited calls on the Tele2 network in the home region, 350 minutes of calls to other networks in the region and the Tele2 network in the rest of Russia and 150 SMS for RUB 290 per month. Customers can also add a data plan to their existing tariff, such as 5GB per month for RUB 250.