Russia's Interfax news agency, famous for its news reports transmitted over fax machines, is launching a new electronic service, a company official said Wednesday.


Interfax and the U.S. firm Personal Data Network have set up a joint venture to provide real-time news service throughout Russia, said Artem Voskoboinikov, head of Interfax's information transmission department.


The joint venture, called Interfax Communications, will deliver news to subscribers within 30 seconds by computer modem, he said.


"Now our subscribers will get news at nearly the same moment we receive it," Voskoboinikov said. At present, it takes Interfax up to half an hour to deliver news by electronic mail and even more time by facsimile.


Voskoboinikov said that the fax-based service, which requires a room full of operators constantly sending reports to subscribers, had proven unprofitable. Interfax Communications plans to completely switch the present system of news delivery by e-mail, fax and couriers to real-time service within a year, he said.


"The real-time service is supposed to become profitable within a year, but I am sure that will happen earlier," he said.


Voskoboinikov said Interfax Communications had already installed seven computers, produced by Mainstream Data Corp., at such agencies as Reuters, BBC, Agence France Presse and Ostankino television.


Interfax serves some 500 customers in Moscow and hundreds more worldwide.