OREANDA-NEWS. May 28, 2010. COMSTAR – United TeleSystems (OAO COMSTAR-UTS, LSE: CMST), a major integrated telecommunication service operator in Russia and CIS, has updated its equipment for connection to the worldwide FON network. Now new ADSL modems with integrated FON router can be rented in STREAM offices. Those who already have an ADSL modem can rent a new Fonera Stone router.

New COMSTAR-UTS ZTE ZXV W300 modem will give subscribers an opportunity not only to get a high-speed Internet access through ADSL, but also to use several additional services at the same time – COMSTAR-FON and TV-on-PC (allowing subscribers to view TV content on their PC screens). Modems can be rented in every sales office of MGTS or STREAM , or ordered in call centres to be delivered at door.

A new Fonera Stone router differs from the previous version with its design and an easier setting procedure. Routers can also be bought in any sales office of STREAM.

 “We have started the second phase of COMSTAR-FON project development, and within its framework we offer our users new and more advanced equipment to connect to the FON network. This will enable us to increase the amount of FON access points considerably, being over 5 thousand in Moscow at present. This considerable network expansion will enable us to open it for an external access, i.e. not only for COMSTAR-FON subscribers but also for other users. Approximately this will happen in autumn 2010”, – said Alexander Gorbunov, the Vice President of COMSTAR-UTS for strategy and development.

 “By launching a new router model on the mass market with COMSTAR, the state-of-the-art product specially designed and fully branded for COMSTAR-UTS group of companies, we are giving an additional impetus to FON network development and confirm an exclusiveness of our relations with COMSTAR”, – said Evgeny Koryagin, the head of the FON Wireless division in Russia.

COMSTAR-FON network is the Russian segment of the global ‘social’ WiFi FON network, and its subscribers may use free of charge each other’s FON access points. The total amount of registered WiFi FON network users worldwide has reached 1.5 million, and there are over five thousand COMSTAR-FON hotspots in Moscow. To organize a FON hotspot in Moscow, it is necessary to rent a Fonera Stone WiFi router or a ZTE ZXV W300 modem from the COMSTAR operator and register it using a special form at: www.fon.com. All currently active hotspots that one may connect at are displayed on the online FON network map at: http://maps.fon.com.