Information about the launch of the Wi-Fi Comstar project has been posted this week. As a result of the project, the largest Wi-Fi network that is to include over 200 hot spots should be created in Moscow over the next two years. After testing this initiative in the capital, Comstar is planning to implement similar projects in four Russian regions.

Investments in the new project will be at least $3.3m, according to the company. The development plans declared for the years 2005 and 2006 envisage the installation of more than 200 hot spots. However, as Comstar United Telesystems [Comstar] reported to Webinform, this figure is a minimum level and the real number of hot spots will be "by an order of magnitude higher" by that time.

Comstar calls the new project an "alliance" since other companies have been attracted to participate in it, including Fujitsu Siemens Computers, Intel and RosBusinessConsulting [RBC]. However, most of the activities on implementing this program will be made by Comstar while other participants will contribute "according to their possibilities. "

For example, RBC will act as an information sponsor and it is going to cover the implementation of this project. This company has developed the official site Wi-Fi Comstar, which, for example, can provide for the authorization of access cards.

According to Timur Aitov, the Director for Business Development of RBC Soft, the online periodical CNews will render a major part of the sponsorship. The site of this Internet resource will have a special section with a map of Moscow showing all the hot spots of all Moscow providers specifying peculiarities of access, cards accepted for payment, addresses, etc.

Timur Aitov stressed the importance of an "image" aspect of their participation in the new project. "Mobile Internet access is highly important for many users. This is why all information resources of RBC have mobile access," Mr. Aitov pointed out.