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Comstar Acquires Interlink Group in Ryazan

By Anshu Shrivastava, TMCnet Contributing Editor

Comstar United TeleSystems, an integrated telecommunications operator in Russia and the CIS, has announced that it has completed the acquisition of 100 percent of the share capital of Interlink Group for a total cash consideration of RUB 200 million, which is approximately US$ 8.5 million.

 

The Group, according to Comstar UTS, comprises Intersvyaz Service, the alternative fixed-line telecommunications operator, and Inter-TV Media, the cable TV operator, which operate under the unified brand “Interlink” in Ryazan and the Ryazan region.

 

Commenting on the acquisition, Sergey Pridantsev, president and CEO at Comstar UTS, said, “The Interlink Group is a company with significant growth potential. The Group operates in the areas of the telecommunications industry which are of high priority for Comstar.”

 

He also said that the Group is expected to launch wireless broadband services based on WiMAX technology in the future, adding that the announced deals are in line with the company’s strategy to expand operations in the Russian regions, through the acquisitions of leading regional telecommunications operators.

 

“We are strengthening our position in the Central Federal District, one of the most economically developed districts in Russia. We intend to expand our service offerings in the Ryazan region, providing broadband Internet access, TV services and long-distance connection,” he added.

 

The Interlink Group is a provider of alternative fixed-line communications market in Ryazan and the Ryazan region. Intersvyaz Service provides telephony services, internet access, leased channel services, design and the development of fibre-optic and other cable networks.

 

The Group says that the company serviced over 15,000 telephone numbers, including 90 percent of numbers for residential subscribers, and provided internet access to over 2,000 subscribers, as at the end of 2007.

 

Inter-TV Media is a cable TV operator which provided services to over 20,000 cable TV subscribers as at the end of 2007, including analogue and digital TV services, and also video surveillance solutions.

 

The Group’s fibre-optic network covers over 95 percent of the territory of Ryazan. The Group informs that the companies obtained licenses for the 2.5-2.7 Ghz frequency range, which will provide for the development of WiMAX (News - Alert)-based services in the region.

 

As at December 31, 2007, the Group reported revenues of US$ 4 million, up by 45 percent year-on-year, with OIBDA of US$ 1.1 million and an OIBDA margin of 27 percent.

 

Anshu Shrivastava is a contributing editor for TMCnet. To see more of her articles, please visit her columnist page.

 

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