OREANDA-NEWS. February 04, 2010. The number of broadband Internet subscribers at VolgaTelecom reached 1 million in January 2010, of which more than 896,000 or about 90% are household users (for which the company provides services under the J trade mark). 

VolgaTelecom has been providing broadband Internet service to households and legal entities since 2004.  The J trademark was launched on the market for households in 11 regions of the Volga Federal District in 2006.  According to data released by Advanced Communications & Media (AC&M Consulting) VolgaTelecom ranks as Russia’s fifth biggest broadband Internet provider in terms of household subscribers.  The company expects to see the one millionth J Internet subscriber signed up as early as the first quarter of 2010. 

Rolling out high-speed Internet access services is a priority for VolgaTelecom.  Despite fierce competition, the company retains its leadership among Internet providers in the Volga Federal District with an overall market share which current amounts to over 50%.  The company provides Internet services using various technologies: хDSL, Ethernet, and Wifi.  In 2009 investments aimed at expanding broadband Internet solutions in this area, and also in datacom networks, amounted to RUR 1.103 bln.

The company has singled out the key areas of development for rolling out broadband Internet services as follows: raising the technical service standards and the quality of the customer sales and care system.  Based on the results of monthly monitoring, a set of measures is in the process of being worked out aimed at enhancing the quality of broadband Internet.  A security system for Internet services using xDSL technology was phased in at a number of the company’s branches in 2009.  Implementation of this project will make it possible to protect users against attempts to gain unsanctioned access to the network using outside authorized data. 

 “In 2010 we expect to begin providing Internet access using FTTхtechnology, which will make it possible to transmit data at a speed of up to 100 Mbps”, says the deputy general of VolgaTelecom and commercial director Andrey Kuznetsov.  In addition, the company plans to continue expanding its Triple Play services, such as Internet access and datacom, SPI telephony and IPTV.

The operator’s service range will be broadened by combining several high-tech telecom services and additional solutions which are ancillary to the development of the telecommunications business, such as entertainment portals, forums, email, etc.  In 2009 the Nizhny Novgorod branch became a pilot region in introducing IPTV, including high-definition television (HDTV).  This year, the company plans to provide IPTV services to subscribers throughout its coverage area.