N.W.Telecom has started providing universal payphone communication services in Pskov Oblast, where the first 150 universal service payphones are already installed.

In accordance with the terms of the bidding for provision of universal payphone communication services, which was won by N.W.Telecom in January 2007 (see the press release of 02.02.2007), North-West Telecom will install 3105 universal service payphones in 3091 localities of Pskov Oblast in 2007-2008.

With these payphones dedicated to provide universal communication services you may use services of local, intrazonal, national, and international telephone communication, and call emergency services free of charge, or an enquiry service.

A feature of universal service payphones is that they enable not only calling, but also receiving a free incoming call. Each payphone is assigned a telephone number, which is indicated in the phone service manual available inside the payphone’s half-booth.

When using a universal service payphone in Pskov Oblast, the price of one minute of local communication will be 45 kopecks, and one minute of intrazonal communication (within Pskov Oblast) will cost 2 rubles 25 kopecks. National and international telephone communication services are provided at long-distance operators’ rates.

This new service may be used with all-in-one universal communication service cards sold for 100 rubles at North-West Telecom service centers and at post offices.

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During 2006-2007, North-West Telecom won the biddings for provision of universal communication services virtually in all of the North-West of Russia (except for St. Petersburg). In general, the terms of these bids provide for installation of 14,688 payphones.