OREANDA-NEWS. On 03 March 2008 was announced, that based on 2007 performance, Volga Telecom’s broadband Internet customer base reached 379,980, with 315,688 of Internet users who surf the net under the J brand.

Growth in the broadband Internet (BI) customer base by more than 3 times against early 2007 became possible thanks to the new marketing initiatives worked out by the company, the introduction of modern sales and customer service systems and new tariff plans. Specifically, throughout the year the following campaigns targeted new adds under xDSL technology: “Sign Up for J and Get a Modem for Free”, “J Makes Presents”, “Internet Services Become 50% Cheaper” and many others. Virtually all branches of the telecom operator cancelled connection fees, introduced favorable modem lease conditions, while the cost of Mb was slashed more than 50% within many tariff plans. In August 2007 Volga Telecom phased in new unlimited tariff plans (Fly 128 and Fly 256). Substantial expansion was achieved in the number of sales offices where citizens of 11 regions of the Volga Federal District may sign up for broadband Internet access services. Furthermore, new payment options were introduced for the hi-speed J-branded Internet package, e.g. using Oplata.ru e-payment terminals.

The company pays close attention to the rollout of content services for BI customers. Entertainment services (J-Radio and J-Drive, operated on a pilot basis) were launched under the J brand, new services, such as Antivirus, Parent Control, educational services for college students and schoolchildren and others, are under development.

As Volga Telecom’s first deputy general director and commercial director Oleg Ershov noted, “rolling out BI activities will remain a priority area for the company in coming years given the changes taking place on the market, as well as Volga Telecom’s technical and marketing opportunities. According to our forecasts, Volga Telecom’s share on the BI market will be at least 60% and in the future we intend to retain our leadership positions by promoting new tariff plans, improving the quality of customer service and offering more opportunities to our clients on the worldwide web”.

In the middle of May 2006 the J project got under way in 11 regions of the Volga Federal District where Volga Telecom conducts operations. At the time, when the new J brand was launched the company’s Internet user base equaled 32,000. At present, the operator’s aggregate Internet subscriber base, including dial-up users, numbers over 740,000.