Becoming an Information Society: The Russian Federation at ITU Telecom World 2011 in Geneva

MOSCOW and GENEVA, October 20, 2011 -

- The Ministry of Telecom and Mass Communications of the Russian Federation showcases innovations and new products at the world’s biggest telecom fair

“Becoming an information society” - under the patronage of the Ministry of Telecom and Mass Communications of the Russian Federation, eight well-known Russian businesses will be showcasing their innovations in the field of telecom and information technology under this slogan at ITU Telecom World in Geneva from 24 to 27 October 2011. Russia’s biggest telecom services provider Rostelecom will be presenting its globally unique e-government system developed for the Russian Federation and will be joined by seven other telecom and information technology companies in the Russian pavilion.

The world’s biggest country has set itself the goal of enabling all of its citizens to access modern technologies and information. Russia’s technological infrastructure is therefore being systematically and intensively expanded. The nationwide expansion of the modern 3G and 4G network is an integral part of these strategic measures and progress is steadily being made.

Another issue of considerable importance to the Ministry of Telecom and Mass Communications of the Russian Federation is television. The programme initiated in 2009 to oversee the switch from analogue to digital television has already been a big success, with more than 43 million people already being able to enjoy digital signal reception by the end of 2011. The nationwide roll-out of digital television is scheduled to be completed in 2015.

Building on Russia’s new, state-of-the-art technological infrastructure, Russian citizens throughout the country will also be able to see to their official matters online, regardless of the time or their whereabouts, thanks to a globally unique e-government system. In the first 18 months since the portal went online, Rostelecom, which developed the system and will be present in the Russian pavilion, registered more than 150 million page hits. And this figure is likely to rise sharply as the system is expanded and Russia’s technological infrastructure is improved.

The Minister of Telecom and Mass Communications of the Russian Federation Igor Shchegolev, who has very much shaped and promoted Russia’s transformation into an information society, appreciates the importance of modern communication and information options: “We have to make sure that the Russians are able to obtain information anywhere, as much as they need, and it should be quick, affordable and legal. To achieve this aim we need new technology, infrastructure, good economic governance and education.”

It is not only private individuals that the Russian government intends to help with its big investments - businesses will benefit too. Technology parks have been created specifically for small, up-and-coming IT businesses so that local businesses can benefit from the joint use of a wide variety of facilities and services relating to logistics and administration. The synergies that this engenders will help to accelerate the growth of the companies and allows them to work more cost-effectively.

These forward-looking topics will be presented in the Russian pavilion at ITU Telecom World by eight renowned telecom and information technology companies on behalf of the Ministry of Telecom and Mass Communications of the Russian Federation, giving attendees a unique opportunity to learn directly about Russia’s transformation into an information society.

Besides the regular exhibition programme, there will be an extensive line up of different surrounding events, such as concerts, presentations and the introduction of Rostelecoms new corporate branding. The Minister of Telecom and Mass Communications of the Russian Federation, Mr. Igor Shchegolev, and Secretary Generel of MSE Hamadun Round will inaugurate the “A.S. Popov” boardroom on October, 25th at the ITU Headquarters in Geneva.

About the Ministry of Telecom and Mass Communications of the Russian Federation

The Ministry of Telecom and Mass Communications of the Russian Federation is a federal executive agency, which develops and implements public policy and regulates legal aspects of information technology, telecommunications, mass communications and media.

The jurisdiction of the Ministry of Telecom and Mass Communications of the Russian Federation includes the Federal Service for Supervision of Communications, the Federal Communications Agency and the Federal Agency for Press and Mass Communication.

Minister of Telecom and Mass Communications of the Russian Federation is Mr. Igor Shchegolev.

The Ministry of Telecom and Mass Communications of the Russian Federation is live-blogging from the Russian pavilion at the ITU Telecom World 2011 in Geneva.

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Press Officer, Annika Kunkel, vertikahl kommunikation, +49-221-677-89-56-3, or Mobile +49-177-33-75-592, annika.kunkel at vertikahl.com