Russia to have 3,000 Post Office internet outlets by end 2002

Russia’s Communications and IT Ministry expects to increase the number of public access Internet outlets at Russian post offices to 3,000 by the end of 2002, First Deputy Minister Alexander Kiselyov told reporters Wednesday.

Kiselyov added that the ministry hoped that Russia would have about 5,000-7,000 public access Internet outlets in 2003.

Currently, 2,200 Internet outlets are available in post offices across Russia, including over 600 in the countryside, he said.

He added that in September, 240,000 people were served at public access Internet outlets.

The Federal Postal Service invested 42 million rubles in setting up lnternet outlets last year. This year, the project is expected to require at least 12-15 million rubles.

There are about 40,000 post offices in Russia, Kiselyov said.

The number of regular Internet users in Russia is projected to climb to eight million this year, from 4.3 million at the end of 2001. (31.7272 rubles – U.S.$1) End