Russian Telecom 2007: A $40 Billion Year

2007 was another year of stable growth for the Russian telecom sector - $40 billion flew into its coffers. According to the Russian Communication Ministry, the IT and telecom (ICT) market totaled USD 60 billion in 2007, a 25.4% year-on-year growth. Moreover, in 2007 the number of Internet users in Russia grew 40% to 35 million, while the number of personal computers reached 31.2 million. The Ministry forecasts that number of personal computers should reach 40 million, a 29% year-on-year growth, and the number of Internet users will grow 31.4% to 46 million in 2008. Explosive growth in the broadband Internet and triple play projects, new carriers’ advancements on the long distance communication market, VSAT market significant gains, and growth in the VAS market segment amidst serious industry consolidation paved the way for another solid year ahead. The mobile market segment showed healthy revenues, while operators deployed the first 3G networks and look into expansion to the long distance market. On top of all these developments, the new Ministry of Communications and Mass Media was created, and Leonid Reiman, the undisputed king of Russian telecom, left his post after almost a decade-long reign. Indeed it was another busy year for Russian telecoms. more

Russian IT MosaicAll articles

CISCO Will Invest USD 100 Million in Russian Venture Funds by 2009

CISCO Systems, the world's leading networking equipment vendor, will focus on its Russian and CIS business. By the end of 2007 CISCO will open two new offices in Kazan and Novosibirsk. more

Russian software exports increased by almost 54% in 2006 and totaled USD 1.5 billion in 2006 (RUSSOFT)

According to RUSSOFT, the Russian software exports increased by almost 54% in 2006 and totaled USD 1.5 billion in 2006. The market for Russian offshore ITO services has been growing rapidly by 30-40% for the past five years. As an offshoring location, today Russia comes third right after India and China. more

Dergunova Leaves Microsoft Russia (CNews.ru)

Microsoft Russia confirmed confirmed today that Olga Dergounova leaves the post of Microsoft Director in Russia and CIS after 13 years in the company. more

A-Z of Russian TelecomAll articles

Enforta is to Invest USD 40 million in its WiMax Network Expansion in 2008

ZAO Prestizh-Internet/Enforta is set to increase its WiMax network coverage to 65 Russian cities by the end of 2008, reported Prime TASS. Enforta plans to invest some USD 40 million in 2008. more

CenterTelecom Broadband Internet Subscribers Grew to 300,000 in 2007

CenterTelecom's number of broadband Internet users reached 300,000 in 2007, reported Prime TASS. CenterTelecom is the largest fixed operator in Central Russia. more

165.3 Million Russians Used Mobile Services in September 2007

In September 2007, the number of mobile service subscribers in Russia reached 165.3 million. more

Asian FocusAll articles

Telecom Ping-Pong in Virginia

When I traveled to Beijing last June, it was not the Beijing I remembered. Back in 1990, the streets were flooded with heavy bicycle traffic, the “Friendship Store” was the only place in town where we could buy our croissant and salami supplies and telephone connection was unbearable. Seventeen years had passed and I couldn’t believe my eyes! It was a totally new city with ubiquitous skyscrapers, ever growing car traffic and huge construction sites. On top of all these infrastructure upgrades Beijing has also become China’s telecommunication hub connecting hundreds of millions of subscribers in its massive broadband networks. more

Sino-Russian Mahjong

Sino-Russian cooperation in telecom sphere is evolving in China’s favor. Large Russian telecom groups backed by the government started their China pitch back in 2001. At that time North-Western GSM (currently MegaFon, Russia’s third largest mobile operator) asked the Russian government to assist in obtaining Chinese license for mobile services. more

The First Broadband Olympics

As a nine-year old kid, I was lucky to be at the Moscow Olympics of 1980. Being at the opening ceremony, seeing the soccer finals (where GDR and Czechoslovakian teams fought a nice battle), watching boxers and rowers competing for gold medals, was simply a “dream-come-true” moment. I can only imagine how cool it would be to send a live video of the flying Olympic “Mishka” mascot to my school mates! Well, Chinese telecom companies promise just this at the Beijing Olympics. more

Special Event CoverageAll articles

CSTB'2007: Besides the Russian winter, it's all about new TV offerings and media-telco convergence [20.02.07]

Oh, that Russian frost! This year the Cable Satellite Television and Broadband (CSTB) exhibition moved from the cozy Sokolniki to the Crocus Expo Center, which is somewhat far from the city center. Add to this freezing Moscow temperatures and huge lines for the buses that were carrying people to the Crocus site, and you will understand that one needs to be an enthusiast of this market segment to actually go… more

Tipping Point of the ICT Industry -- ITU Telecom Comes to Asia [23.01.07]

Malcolm Gladwell’s bestseller “The Tipping Point” unveils the secrets behind the “social epidemics” of change, when a simple factor might instigate a wave of volcanic change. What is that “tipping point” for the ICT industry? What made it tick again? Is it the gargantuan technology and product offering, oiled by mushrooming advertising billboards, banners and SMSs? Or is it the other way around? What can and should technology do to decrease an enormous digital divide between “gold billion” and developing economies? more