MOSCOW (Reuters) -- Sweden's Tele2 said Tuesday it launched its first GSM network in Russia, where it holds 12 mobile licenses but is not widely considered a major contender on the country's fast-growing cellular market.

The network was launched in the Siberian provincial capital of Irkutsk, where top competitors are notably absent. The Swedish operator said it would spend $50 million to $80 million on GSM investments in 2003. Four more networks should open by the end of the year, Tele2 said.