OREANDA-NEWS. On 17 June 2009 COMSTAR – United TeleSystems (COMSTAR-UTS, LSE: CMST), the leading integrated telecommunications operator in Russia and the CIS, announced that the branch of STREAM-TV (forms a part of the COMSTAR-UTS Group of companies) in Balakovo (Saratov region) from June 1, 2009, has set upon commercial commissioning of broadband Internet access (BIA) service to city inhabitants.

The BIA service was launched in Balakovo in the test mode from May 4, 2009. A number of first users that got access to the service in the test mode exceeded 300 households; following commercial commissioning, they have became the first branch subscribers.

New networks have been deployed based on FTTB technology (Fiber to the Building). These technology features increased network reliability and easy integration of new telecommunication services. Networks built based on FTTB technology enable providing of a broad range of services, including data transfer, video streaming, Internet access, voice communication, virtual cinema hall, video on demand, video surveillance, video telephony, etc.

STREAM-TV in Balakovo provides services of Internet access through a dedicated Ethernet fiber-optic data transfer channel. The branch enables connection under multiple rating plans, including unlimited access. For subscribers’ convenience, the free statistics site has been created that enables real-time tracking and planning of Internet expenses. The free service center has also been set up, where users can get specialists’ recommendations in all possible issues.

Viktor Koresh, COMSTAR-UTS Vice President for Regional Development and General Director of STREAM-TV, has noted: “Based on the strategy of service development in COMSTAR-UTS regions of presence, branches and affiliates of STREAM-TV Group are now getting down to providing of broadband Internet access services based on the FTTB technology in several cities of the Central and Volga districts. Launch of BIA service in Balakovo is an important step in realization of the program. Balakovo branch of STREAM-TV is a leader of the cable television segment. I hope that we will be able to get hold of a significant part of the BIA market, in the first instance, through the use of advanced technologies and customer-oriented approach to sales.”

Mikhail Volodikhin, Executive Director of the STREAM-TV branch in Balakovo, has added: “The first subscribers to use new broadband Internet access service will be inhabitants of the base, insular part of the city, housing estates 1-11 and 4b. I’m sure that our users will appreciate a profitable balance between tariffs and data rates. One more important factor is a possibility to get a package of telecommunication services from the same operator – cable TV and Internet in one package.”

Balakovo branch of STREAM-TV is a leading cable television operator in the city. In 2005–2006, the branch completed upgrading of the cable television network that was transferred to Hybrid Fiber Coax networks (HFC). The network covers the whole territory of Balakovo. Balakovo branch accounts for 97.7% of the cable TV market share. Number of subscribers – over 50,000 households.

Balakovo is an administrative center of Balakovo district, Saratov region. The city is situated on the left bank of Volga, 161 km north-eastward from Saratov. Balakovo inhabitants are around 200 thousand people. Balakovo has become the third city in Saratov region, where COMSTAR provides both Internet access and TV services. Thus, Double play services provided by COMSTAR cover three largest cities of the region. In Saratov and Engels, specialists of the Group also provide voice communication services – local, area, intercity and international communication.