UPDATE 2-Russia's MTS Q3 net dips on debt costs

* Posts net profit of $494.4 mln, beats consensus

* Sees higher capex as percentage of sales in 2010

* To invest increasingly in 3G networks, retail

(Adds further details)

MOSCOW, Nov 13 (Reuters) - MTS (MBT.N), Russia's largest mobile phone operator, posted a 4.1 percent fall in its third-quarter net profit as sales fell and debt-servicing costs rose, but its figures were ahead of most analysts' forecasts.

The company's net profit fell to $494.4 million as its debt rose and the weaker rouble increased the interest on its dollar-denominated loans and bonds.

MTS said it expected debt to rise further in 2010-2012 as it may have to borrow if bondholders demand up to $821 million in early repayments.

As of Sept. 30, MTS's total debt stood at $7.2 billion, with net debt at $3 billion.

MTS also said it planned to increase capital expenditures as a percentage of sales to 22 to 25 percent next year in order to finance the third-generation (3G) network roll-out and continue investing in its retail business.