The leading Ukrainian cable operator Volia aims to offer its subscribers HD channels on a commercial basis by 2010.
However, while it is technically already capable of doing so in the capital, Kiev, there are a number of obstacles that still need to be overcome.
According to Volia, there are few HD channels that currently have the right to broadcast in Ukraine, and copyright holders are demanding (high) royalties in the range of €0.5 -1.5 per subscriber.
Volia also says that it is also doing everything possible to bring down the cost of HD receivers, which retail for $180-200 (€132.6-147.3).
Volia has also has that demand for its NVOD service grew by 15% from December to February, with an average of 4,500 orders placed per month.