As early as this autumn South Telecommunications Company (STC) intends to switch the city telephone networks of Krasnodarand Rostovto 7-digit telephone numbering. The company’s 6-digit code pool has become depleted mainly due to the high development of the telecom market and soaring needs of two biggest cities in southern Russiain high quality telecom services. The launch of the 7-digit code will enable to broaden the subscriber base not only of South Telecommunications Company, but also those of the alternative operators. At present, the above project is being implemented by Gurposvyaz. By year-end 2005 South Telecommunications Company is set to upgrade Rostov’s telephone network that includes expansion of the data transmission infrastructure to cope with an ever-growing load and refurbishment of the central switching facility in order to introduce a 7-digit code as early as this November.

The technical potential of Krasnodar’s telecom companies makes it possible to launch 7-digit numbering even today, without changing software and conducting large-scale reconstruction. According to STC general director I.F. Ignatenko, the transfer of Krasnodarto the 7-digit code is slated for October 2004, just on the eve of the 110^th anniversary of the KrasnodarCityTelecommunicationsCenter. As I.F. Ignatenko pointed out, the successful implementation of this outstanding project will allow regional telecom operators to set new development targets.