Internet and society: Then number of Internet users in Russia in 2016 to reach 100 million people

The number of Internet users in Russia, which is now about 80 million people, by 2016 will reach 100 million. According to the Minister of Mass Communications of the Russian Federation Nikolay Nikiforov, this prediction has come from the mouth of American experts during his meetings in Washington.

The Minister said that the government’s mission is to “ensure equal access” to the Internet. “No matter where you were born and where you live, it is important that the state has provided to you in terms of information and communication technologies (ICT), an equal opportunity”, - said the head of the agency.

According to N. Nikiforov, “the access to the network – is not just access to the Internet with its entertainment content and social networking”. “These are possibilities for the business, education, telemedicine, etc., - said the minister. - This is a competitive environment for business development”.

In this regard, Nikiforov cited an interesting assessment: an increase in the population’s access to the Internet by 10% produces about 1.5% of GDP growth. “Today all governments in the world are thinking about how to create new conditions for economic growth, and the Russian government very serious bid makes on the development of broadband access (to the Internet), - said the head of the Ministry of Communications. - We see the potential to increase this figure by approximately another 20 percent, and it is a condition for the 3 per cent of our GDP growth, an important infrastructure component of the economic growth”.

“The development of the broadband access – is a priority in the work of our ministry and the government as a whole. The development of broadband creates new opportunities for economic growth”, - said the head of the Ministry of Communications. According to him, it is planned to “do everything possible in order the rate of Internet users to be more impressive”.

In addition, Nikiforov recalled the task set by the President of Russia: 70% of the population should use the electronic services as early as 2018. “This means that at least 70% of the population should be connected to the Internet, but really - even more”, - said the Minister. In this regard, he said, the Ministry of Communications produces a specific plan for the development of broadband access to the Internet in the Russian Federation, which will be reviewed and approved at the level of the government.