IT and Society: Top 10 ICT events’2011 in Russia

Following the tradition, CNews portal has chosen the highlights of Russia’s ICT market in 2011.

· All navigation satellites of Russian GLONASS satellite group launched

The launch of all satellites of Russian satellite group may be by right called the most significant telecom event in Russia in 2011 with respect to its geographical coverage. When the total number of the group reached 24 satellites, GLONASS signal became available to users all over the world.

First devices with GLONASS support - tablets and smartphones – began to appear on the market as well.

· Inter-agency electronic interaction system in operation

In October Russia introduced the federal part of inter-agency electronic interaction system. Its main purpose is to save citizens from the necessity to collect documents at different agencies in order to receive govt services electronically: with implementation of inter-agency electronic interaction system officials will share these data between each other.

· Completion of Rostelecom’s reorganization

Rostelecom has completed reorganization having merged with seven interregional telecommunication companies of “Svyazinvest” holding, and has become a universal telecommunication operator.

· First LTE networks

In September 2011 the State Commission for Radiofrequency took a decision to adopt LTE-frequencies. According to it, at the first stage 4G networks in Russia will operate in 800 MHz, 2.3 GHz and 2.5 GHz frequency range. Four frequency bands will be put out to tender in 2012, while “Skartel” (Yota brand) and “Osnova Telecom”, founded in partnership with the Ministry of Defense, got a right to freely use LTE-frequencies countrywide.

· Large-scale Free Software projects

It was in 2009 that the Ministry of Communications and Mass Media published a plan on transition of state institutions to free software. There were several major free software projects in Russia this year. What is more, this year the Prime Minister Vladimir Putin approved the establishment of the national technological software platform, which brings together software developers and other representatives of this community. Together they will develop software including open-source software in Russia.

· Yandex IPO

This spring the major Russian Internet company – “Yandex” – went public on the NASDAQ market. As a result this enabled the company to take more active steps abroad – in the United States and Europe. The company’s success may become a model for Russian Internet start-ups to follow.

· Beeline conquers three continents

Vimpelcom has become one of the world’s largest mobile operators having merged with Wind Telecom. Now Vimpelcom operates in Italy, Canada, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Algeria and some African countries.

· Money investments returned to Russian IT market

In 2011 Russian IT companies continued their consolidation. A case in point, Yandex has made several takeovers with SPB Software (developer of mobile interfaces) as a highlight. “Lanit” has purchased Evident Point Software – Canadian developer of software tools for reading eBooks, Merlion has bought Verysell Distribution business.

· Start of “Skolkovo”

Though “Skolkovo” innovation center still does not exist, in 2011 a foundation which bears the same name started up major activities: several foreign companies, like Intel, Microsoft, IBM, SAP and Nokia inked cooperation agreements with it for opening of development centers in Russia. Russian IT companies also take part in the activities of “Skolkovo”.

· Trade unions in IT-companies

CNews informs that some large foreign IT companies operating in Russia have been working on foundation of their own trade unions. Some of them are expected to run the next year.