MOSCOW (WiMAX Day). Russian GSM operator Megfon is looking at WiMAX as an alternative to 3G, according to a recent report in RBK Handelsblatt. While 3G licenses have yet to be granted in Russia, many networks believe the cost and time to deploy 3G technology may not be worth the effort. The general director of Megafon, Alexey Nichiporenko, noted in the report that “the Russian market of telecommunications has an opportunity to avoid the mistakes made by European operators, which have yet to pay off till now.” While Nichiporenko expressed his readiness to participate in an auction of 3G licenses, he said “but if it will turn out, that a serious investment is required…we shall search for other opportunities.” Megafon considers WiMAX such an opportunity. The company has already submitted an application for a 2.5 GHz license, and it “has a number of frequencies… for fixed WiMAX. Therefore we shall consider different opportunities and directions for development.”