MOSCOW — Digital broadcasting in Russia will make it possible to increase the number of national channels by more then 7 times, but will require more than RUR40bn (approx. USD1.44bn) in investments, Russian Television and Radio Broadcasting Network (RTRBN) general director Gennady Sklyar has reported. The present model of analog broadcasting provides the country's public with 3 nation-wide channels. In the event digital broadcasting is introduced, each Russian city or town will enjoy at least 28 channels. Sklyar believes these channels can be united into seven multiplexes with a wide range of digital services (the Internet, e-commerce, etc.).