Since Feb,1 Golden Telecom has launched commercial operation of its Golden Wi-Fi network of 6,700 access nodes covering about 800,000 Moscow households. It offers unlimited broadband internet for less than $20(500 RUR)/month or about $4(100 RUR)/hour for new subscribers. For those who participated in network beta-testing it offers free internet until March,1. These rather low costs are questionned by analysts considering GT's CEO Jean-Pierre Vendromme recent claims to reach $50 ARPU with 300,000-400,000 subscribers by 2010-2011.

Finam's Russian website publised a rumour from anonymous 'reliable source' about information agency Regnum's 25+1% share being sold to 'an investor who has nothing to do with media'. According to Finam the transaction has been already approved at unofficial rate and the agency was in the course of 'Great Four' financial consultancies' evaluation by the moment. The rumour arrowsed much interest considering lack of any more independent media assets in the Russian Internet with Lenta.ru joint with Rambler and Gazeta.ru sold to Gazprom's Kommersant publishing house. However this rumour may appear to be a hint dropped by Regnum's owner to attract probable investors who are now pretty excited about investing to online media on the eve of coming president elections-2008.

According to LiveInternet.ru hit counter Google's share in Russian Internet search traffic exceeded one tenth for the first time. Along with this Google has strengthened its positions among all Russian users reaching 21,6 % share and moving to second place within top search engines between Yandex and Rambler. This Google's burst in Russia may be a result of its latest PR efforts like opening Gmail registration to all, launching its major services in Russian, opening its official Russian blog and promoting Google apps with CD's put in local press.

One of top Russian mobile retailers Euroset Group is closing outlets of little profit to offer new services such as providing Wi-Fi internet and web hosting. The reason for this decision is Euroset's growing market share which is about to reach 45% and cause antimonopoly prosecution. Also as reported the company has bought FTS Leap billing solution designed for broadband and MVNO services and announced the launch of the web hosting project targeting mass market. Meantime its closest competitor Dixis announced it is also launching some new services this year including co-projects with banks and independent telecom providers, the last implies web hosting as supposed.