Plans of development of "UTK" PJSC multi-service and data networks in 2004 provide for creation of 37 new and modernization of 84 existing access nodes to data network (SPD) including 1546 assigned ports and 3212 dial-up ports. Cisco Systems equipment will be used for these purposes in all UTK branches.

Each UTK branch has its own peculiarities of SPD construction. "Rostovelectrosvyaz" plans to install radio access equipment to SPD that will make it possible to reduce costs of formation and maintenance of the local multi-service network. VPN services are to be provided throughout the licensed territory of "Southern Telecommunications Company" PJSC. In 2004 "Svyazinform" of the Astrakhan Region" plans to transfer its subscribers from ATM-based network to the new network using IP-technology without any interruption in rendering telecom services. Introduction of IP-technology will allow to reduce the Company's expenditures for network extension in the future.

Technical re-equipment and construction of multi-service data network will be carried out in the territory of Volgograd Region, Stavropolskiy Kray, North Ossetia and Kabardino-Balkaria. The Company plans to continue the development of DPT-based (622MB/s) ring structures in the branches "Center of New Technologies" and "Electrosvyaz" of Stavropol Territory" which will make possible to provide reliable SPD-services using high-speed data transmission. Extension of transportation networks will be put into effect in other UTK branches as demand for data transfer services increases.

Development of "UTK" PJSC multi-service and data networks is a part of UTK program of new technologies development which will result in the expected increase of revenues from new telecom service by 61.7% making 5,2%-share in the Company's 2004 tariff revenues (according to 2003 preliminary results share of value-added services in UTK revenue structure stood at 4,1%).