OREANDA-NEWS. On 19 February 2008 was announced, that at 2007 end the number of VolgaTelecom’s Internet broadband users has amounted to 379 980 users, and among them - 315 688 are “J” trade mark users.

More than threefold growth of Internet broadband subscriber base vs. the beginning of 2007 was ensured by new marketing initiatives designed in the Company, implementation of modern methods of sales and servicing, and introduction on the market of new tariff plans. In particular, during the past year such actions as “Get connected to “J” and get the modem free of charge”, “J” gives presents”, “Twofold cheaper Internet” and other were organized for the users newly connected to Internet by xDSL technology. Actually all the Company’s regional subsidiaries abolished the connection fee, introduced easy terms of modems granting, and the cost of 1Mb of many tariff plans was reduced by more than 50%. In August 2007 VolgaTelecom introduced new unlimited tariff plans – “Fly 128” and “Fly 256”. The Company significantly expanded the number of sales offices where the residents of 11 regions of the Volga Federal district may get connected to Internet broadband service. In addition, new forms of payment for “J” Internet services were introduced, in particular by using the terminals of “Oplata.ru” payment system.

The Company pays great attention to the development of content-services for Internet broadband users. Entertainment services J-RADIO, J-DRIVE (trial operation) under “J” trade mark are in operation, the Company is designing the new services, such as “Antivirus”, “Parents’ control”, educational services for students and high schoolers, and other.

Oleg Ershov, first deputy to VolgaTelecom’s General Director – commercial director, notes “For the years immediately ahead, taking into account the changes on the market and also technical and marketing capabilities of VolgaTelecom, the activities of Internet broadband services development will be of priority for us. In our estimates at 2007 end VolgaTelecom’s share of Internet broadband market was at least 60%, and in future we intend to keep the leading positions due to introduction on the market of new tariffs, improvement of customer service and expansion of their capabilities of operation in the Internet”.

“J” project started in mid May 2006 in 11 regions of the Volga Federal district, where the Company is operating. At the time of “J” introduction on the market the number of Internet broadband users amounted to 32 000. As of today, the total number of Internet users, with due account for those using dial-up access, exceeds 740 000.