calls to most places in and outside of Russia. International connections are quick and clear. Svazinform is working with the Siemens Company to upgrade its telecommunication system and replace old analog lines with digital ones. This project has already made substantial progress, and the quality of the digital network in Cheboksary and Novocheboksarsk meets international standards for high-speed video and data transmission. Companies can install and lease as many phone lines as needed. There is also a satellite-based telecom provider, ComBelgia (JSC), that provides direct intercity and international long-distance connections over their own private network. Wireless communication services are also readily available through a number of companies, and costs are dropping rapidly. The average cost for a cell phone call is approximately $0.20 per minute. Local e-mail, Internet access, and web hosting services are available through both Svazinform and Inform Technology. Internet access costs range from $0.90 - $1.80 per hour or $200 a month for unlimited access. This is still relatively expensive for Russia. Both Svazinform and Inform Technology offer high speed ISDN Internet access (64KB or 128KB per second), though only a small number of ISDN customers exist. Because of the high costs of installing new lines to support ISDN, Svazinform has recently added high speed (2MB per second) access via radio transmitters and radio dishes. Additionally, there are a number of local companies actively developing software including web site creation services. The local mail system works surprisingly well for international mail but the security of proprietary information cannot be guaranteed. As an alternative to the Russian state-owned mail system, DHL, UPS, and Federal Express are operating in Cheboksary. Time of delivery is approximately four days between the US and Russia, and overnight for shipments to or from Moscow. For shipments other than documents, special arrangements should be made with these companies concerning customs clearance. Energy Due to the Cheboksary hydroelectric power station on the Volga River, Chuvashia is a net exporter of electricity. This station, run by Chuvashenergo (the Chuvash affiliate of United Energy Systems), provides all of Chuvashia's electricity and supplies surrounding regions with power. Due to this fact, electricity in Chuvashia is more reliable than in many regions of Russia. The plant has excess capacity and is expected to meet the growing needs of the region for years to come. Labor market Due to its unusually high population density (the third highest of all oblasts