VOLIA modernizes its telecommunications network and expands coverage in the regions
VOLIA, a leading national telecommunications provider, is undertaking a complete modernization of its regional telecommunications networks as part of its strategy to integrate its regional businesses into a single brand and bring service levels up to high standards. The modernization is designed to expand network capacity, eliminate network congestion, and ensure redundancy of power supplies and communication channels.
"For a regional enterprise to operate under the VOLIA brand, the quality of all services it provides must meet uniform internal corporate standards," says Sergey Boyko, VOLIA President. "Therefore, this is one of our top priorities. Tens of millions of dollars have already been invested in improving networks and services, and further investments are planned for 2010."
In 2009, network coverage was expanded in the eastern and western regions of the country, with new headend stations installed. In several cities, transport networks were fully converted to 10G technology. Technical work and equipment upgrades were carried out in all regions. Subscribers in several cities also received digital television service.
Specifically, network coverage was expanded in Lviv, Kharkiv, and Sevastopol. In Vinnytsia, a new-generation headend using IP routing was installed to launch digital television; the transport network was significantly upgraded to increase data transfer and reception speeds for internet subscribers. In Kharkiv, the transport network was completely converted to 10G technology. Furthermore, in September 2009, a test launch of digital television access was launched there. This was preceded by extensive technical work, including the network being virtually rebuilt in major residential areas of the city. The commercial launch of the service is scheduled for March 2010.
"In some cities, the network had to be rebuilt from scratch because it was in poor condition and didn't meet our internal standards. Furthermore, in cities where the network was fragmented, highways were consolidated, equipment was upgraded to expand network capacity, and redundancy was provided to eliminate service interruptions," notes Pavel Kurmachev, Vice President of Technical Planning at VOLYA. "Of course, this work will continue in 2010. Our plans include raising the bar for requirements and bringing all regional networks into compliance."
VOLIA previously reported that it was the first Ukrainian Internet exchange network participant to launch a 20-Gigabit link to the Ukrainian Internet exchange point in Kyiv, significantly increasing the bandwidth of links to the Ukrainian internet segment and improving access reliability through backup connectivity. Since January 1, 2010, the company's total external link capacity has reached 19 Gbps, the total bandwidth of links connected to UA-IX is 30 Gbps, and the total bandwidth of parity links is 35 Gbps.
In 2009, the company fully implemented 10G technology in the Kyiv city network and network core. Each cable modem headend station (CMTS), located throughout the city, is served by at least 20G channels, providing ample capacity for internet subscribers. Volia was the first Ukrainian company to deploy 10G technology for internet connections.
The company considers it an undoubted success that it was able to improve the quality of its services and fully modernize its network across all regions without significantly changing service prices. This is despite the average 60% increase in the cost of materials and equipment last year due to the sharp rise in the foreign exchange rate.
Company Profile
VOLIA serves approximately 1.4 million subscribers across Ukraine who access television programs and more than 380,000 users of high-speed Internet access.
www.volia.com is a national Ukrainian telecommunications provider that offers a comprehensive multi-service offering, including: information and entertainment – access to TV programs and video-on-demand; data transmission – high-speed Internet access and services from Ukraine's largest data center; and communications – computer and voice communications.
