OREANDA-NEWS. On 11 August 2008 was announced, that according to this year's July results, the number of applications for subscription to Volia Premium TV has peaked at 42,000. This is an all-time record in digital subs growth dynamics per month ever since the launch of the DTV in September 2002. The fact that such a spike in demand for digital package subscriptions is observed during vacation period is particularly worthy of note.

Two special offers were presented during the period from 01 July 2008 to 31 August 2008: ‘Ekskliuzyvna Sotnia' (Exclusive Hundred) and ‘Simeynyi Vyibr' (Family Choice) (see the details of the special offers at:  http://www.volia.com/eng/tv/news)

Digital package subscription statistics shows that the extended package ‘Vsesvit', which carries 100 Ukrainian and international programs and stereo radio channels, became an indisputable leader. More than half of all users subscribed to this package.

Other subscription plans that are popular among new subscribers are those containing various combinations of add-ons and premium packages such as ‘The Planet of Knowledge', ‘Kino', ‘Lifestyle', ‘Music' and ‘Sports'. Subscription either to the ‘Ukraina' digital package or the ’Ukraina i Svit’ basic package was chosen by the smallest number of new subs.

It is worth mentioning that the number of subscribers from the disadvantaged categories grows as well. Today about 30,000 Kievans can subscribe to digital packages on special terms, funded through own means of the company. Among them are low-income and disadvantaged groups: disabled war veterans; 1st category disabled people; elderly people living alone, receiving home care at the social service district centers of Kyiv; Heroes of the Soviet Union and Ukraine; companions of the Order of Glory or the Order of Social Labor; absolute companions of the Order of Labor Glory; individuals awarded four Bravery medals or more.

Based on preliminary applications and lists submitted by the social security department, the number may double by the end of the year.

CJSC Volia-Cable CEO Andrey Metelskiy noted: "Should the dynamic growth in digital package subscriptions continue, the whole digitalization process may be completed early before the planned deadline (i. e. prior to February 2009). That is why we decided to make corrections to analog packages prices later, since we expect the number of analog package subs to be close to zero as early as in October-December 2008."

VOLIA is the number-one telecommunication services provider in Ukraine providing digital TV and high-speed Internet services, Ukraine’s largest data-centre services, as well as additional service NVoD.