IPSoft iVision IPTV Middleware new deployment in Ukraine

COMSTAR – United TeleSystems JSC (COMSTAR-UTS, LSE: CMST), the leading supplier of integrated telecommunication solutions in Russia and the CIS, announces that COMSTAR-Ukraine Ltd, a member of COMSTAR-UTS group, is the first to have launched an interactive digital TV (IPTV) service in Odessa.

COMSTAR-Ukraine provides IP-TV service based on its own multi-service fiber-optical data transmission next generation network (NGN), using IPSoft iVision IPTV Middleware software platform developed by Netris, Russia. Now COMSTAR-Ukraine broadband Internet subscribers in Odessa receive a digital-format package of more than 60 basic channels broadcast over the air, with thematic TV channels. In future, the company plans to increase the number of broadcast channels to as many as 90, and launch VoD service along with other interactive services.

Before the end of 2008 COMSTAR-Ukraine plans to launch IPTV service in Kiev.

About Comstar-UTS

The Group of Companies Comstar – United Telesystems (JSC Comstar-UTS, LSE: CMST) is a leading provider of integrated telecommunication solutions in Russia. It incorporates: JSC Moscow City Telephone Network, a premier fixed telecom operator in metropolitan area, and Comstar Direct, the biggest broadband Internet provider. The Group’s controlling stake belongs to a AFK Sistema (short for Joint Stock Financial Corporation Sistema). Since February 2006, 35% of JSC Comstar-UTS’ shares have been listed on RTS, MSE and LSE.

Based on a proprietary NGN backbone, JSC Comstar-UTS provides a panoply of the latest telecom solutions spanning all the market segments: from individuals to multinational corporations. Powerful technical and professional resources enable JSC Comstar-UTS to meet any demand through a set of services fine-tuned to a customer profile.

Regional branches of JSC Comstar-UTS are present in major Russia’s areas: Saint-Petersburg city and Leningrad region, Ivanov, Кaluga, Samara, Saratov and Tyumen regions, Krasnodar and Stavropol territories. Beyond Russia JSC Comstar-UTS has assets in Urkaine, Armenia and Greece.