MTS plans to shut analogue, launch hybrid services

Russian service provider MTS plans to shut down its analogue tier within the next 18 months and migrate its base to a digital-only TV service, according to local reports.

Dmitry Bagdasaryan, the company’s fixed-line business director, told journalists this week that MTS could reverse the decision if it faced competition from excessively low-cost offerings.

Bagdasaryan said MTS would also develop a hybrid offering, combining broadcast with internet-based services for delivery across multiple screens, which would likely be launched late this year or early next year.