OREANDA-NEWS. In the first half of 2007 OJSC “VolgaTelecom” installed 7 459 universal service payphones in the Volga Federal district localities.

The Company, having won the tenders for providing universal communication service by means of payphones in 11 regions of the Volga Federal district, carries out works on 16 466 universal service payphones installation within the frameworks of contract with Federal Agency for Communication (FAC). In 2006-2007 OJSC “VolgaTelecom” investments in this project realization will amount to RUR 2,3 billion.

All the activities on universal communication service provision ensuring are divided into two stages. The first stage started by the Company in September 2006 comprised appropriate infrastructure preparation, installation of the first lot of the payphones and the start of the services provision. The installation and connection of all universal payphones is to be completed by September 1, 2007. The works are being conducted ahead of schedule.

The payphones are being installed in all the regions where “VolgaTelecom” branches are operating. In hard-to-reach areas where cable lines construction involves significant expenses, radio facilities are applied for communication organization, including microwave radio relays and radio line stretchers.

The term “universal service” was introduced by federal law “On communication” and means minimum set of communication services the access to which should be available to any citizen of Russia. All installed payphones are referred to the category of universal units: they allow not only to make local, intra-regional, DLD and ILD calls, but also to receive incoming calls. The payphones provide for round-the-clock and free of charge capability to make calls to emergency services. “Universal communication services UNIFORM PAYMENT CARD” effective on the entire territory of the Russian Federation is used for payment.