Kyiv. December 21. UNIAN. In 2008, Ukrainian cable provider VOLIA plans to stop offering analogue TV services and complete its transition to digital TV. This was stated by Sergey Boyko, president of the company, during a press-conference at UNIAN.

As the UNIAN correspondent reports, Boyko said that “If the company will retain the same client loyalty that it has today, then in 2008, Kyiv may become the first digital city in Eastern Europe. Though, it is not inconceivable that it will happen even earlier if the sales dynamics of the Volia Premium TV digital service will continue to show the same progress.

As Mr Boyko stated, Volia customer surveys showed that 60% of subscribers of analogue TV would like to subscribe to digital TV services. Mr Boyko reported that in 2007, Volia will focus efforts on development and modernization of its cable networks not only in Kyiv, but in three other cities where the company is present. “Next year we will start building fiber-optic networks in Lviv”, said Mr Boyko. The company recently finished building fiber-optic networks in Alchevsk, a network that covers the whole city. The company plans to start a pilot project and launch high-speed internet (carried by TV cable) in Chernovzy.

Mr Boyko stated that company plans to reach same high level of service that the company offers in Kyiv, Lviv and two other cities during next 2-3 years. He said that the company will invest $28.5 million in network development in 2007, which is $10 million more that in 2006.

The company is planning to develop not only infrastructural projects, but its digital TV and high-speed internet services. “The company plans to launch two new services, VoIP and video-on-demand, in the very near future, which will strengthen our offering and make it more attractive for our customers, both existing and new”, said Mr Boyko.