
Rostelecom is Russia's largest telecommunications company, with a history dating back to 1932. It was originally established as the Ministry of Post and Telecommunications.
Rostelecom has undergone significant changes over the years, including a major restructuring in 2008 that led to the creation of a new holding company. This move aimed to increase efficiency and competitiveness in the market.
Rostelecom provides a wide range of services, including broadband internet, television, and mobile communications. Its extensive network covers over 70% of Russia's population.
With a presence in over 2,000 cities and towns, Rostelecom's infrastructure is truly vast.
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History
Rostelecom's history dates back to 1990, when the USSR Ministry of Communications created the state joint-stock company Sovtelecom.
On June 26, 1990, Sovtelecom was established to operate the USSR's telecommunication network.
In 1992, a state-owned enterprise Rostelecom was created by the State Property Committee of Russia, including 20 state-owned enterprises of long-distance and international communications, as well as Intertelecom communication equipment.
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Rostelecom's early years were marked by significant changes, including the liquidation of Svyazinvest in 2011 and the merger of regional subsidiaries into Rostelecom.
By 2021, Rostelecom's revenue had reached 351 billion rubles.
The company's focus on innovation was evident in 2006, when it received a certificate of quality for its IP-MPLS network and became the ISP backbone.
That same year, Rostelecom signed an agreement with KDDI to build a high-speed line between Russia and Japan.
Today, Rostelecom continues to navigate the challenges of the digital age, with cyberattacks being a top concern, as stated in 2023.
Ownership
The ownership structure of Rostelecom is quite complex, but I'll break it down for you. As of November 2021, the largest shareholder is the Federal Agency for State Property Management with a 38.2% stake.
The Federal Agency for State Property Management is the largest shareholder, followed by JSC Telecom Investments with a 20.98% stake. VTB Bank owns 8.44% of Rostelecom, while Vnesheconombank holds 3.96%.
Here's a breakdown of the ownership structure:
- Federal Agency for State Property Management (38.2%)
- JSC Telecom Investments (20.98%)
- VTB Bank (8.44%)
- Vnesheconombank (3.96%)
Connection of Svyazinvest
The connection of Svyazinvest to Rostelecom was a significant event in the company's history. In June 2013, an extraordinary meeting of Rostelecom shareholders approved the operator's joining of the Svyazinvest holding.
98% of the owners of 62% of the company's shares who were present at the meeting voted for this, making it a decisive move towards reforming the holding. This marked the last stage in the holding's reform process.
Rostelecom's joining of Svyazinvest was a major development in the company's ownership structure. By combining their resources, the two companies aimed to create a more efficient and competitive telecommunications operator.
In April 2011, Rostelecom completed the process of creating a joint company by excluding its subsidiaries from the Unified Register of Legal Entities. This move solidified the company's position as a leading player in the Russian telecommunications market.
Here's a brief overview of the key players involved in Rostelecom's ownership structure:
These players have a significant influence on Rostelecom's operations and decision-making processes. Their involvement is crucial to understanding the company's ownership dynamics.
Manager Arrested on Embezzlement Charges
A manager at Rostelecom was arrested on November 19, 2024, on embezzlement charges.
The arrest was announced by the Basmanny Court of Moscow, which accused Vladimir Shadrin, director of dedicated communication networks at Rostelecom, of particularly large fraud.
This incident highlights the importance of accountability in business, where even top managers can be held responsible for their actions.
Vladimir Shadrin is specifically accused of embezzlement, a serious offense that can have significant consequences for individuals and organizations alike.
The case serves as a reminder that no one is above the law, not even those in positions of power.
Exclusive GIS Supplier on GosTech Platform
Rostelecom has been appointed as the sole executor of several high-profile projects, solidifying its position in the Russian telecommunications market.
In July 2023, Rostelecom was determined as the only supplier for state contracts for the creation, operation, and development of state information systems (GIS) on the GosTech platform.
This appointment is a significant milestone for Rostelecom, demonstrating the company's capabilities and expertise in delivering complex projects. The company's experience in managing large-scale projects will likely benefit the Russian government in implementing its GIS initiatives.
Rostelecom's role as the sole executor of GIS projects has been reinforced by Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin's decrees, which appointed the company to lead various projects, including the modernization of the state information system of compulsory health insurance and the procurement of work on the creation of the state information system "Unified Centralized Digital Platform in the Social Sphere".
Here's a brief overview of Rostelecom's key GIS projects:
These projects demonstrate Rostelecom's commitment to supporting the Russian government's digital transformation initiatives and its position as a leading provider of GIS solutions in the country.
Tele2 Retail Chain Merger
Rostelecom announced the merger of the operator's retail networks and Tele2, which will be managed by Rostelecom - Retail Systems LLC.
This merger took place on May 19, 2020, marking a significant change in the retail landscape.
Rostelecom - Retail Systems LLC will now oversee the combined retail operations, providing a unified customer experience.
The merger is a strategic move to strengthen Rostelecom's retail presence and improve its competitiveness in the market.
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Operations
Rostelecom is the largest integrated digital services and products provider in Russia, operating in all segments of the telecommunications market. It serves millions of households, state and private enterprises across the country.
The company provides solutions in various fields, including E-Government, cybersecurity, biometry, healthcare, education, and housing & utility services. Rostelecom has also partnered with Rostec to develop digital healthcare services.
Rostelecom's network is built on existing Russian fiber-optic cable lines, which connect to countries in Europe and East Asia. The company's network spans across the country, with routes including Moscow — Novorossiysk, Moscow — Khabarovsk, and Moscow — Saint Petersburg.
Here are some of the main services Rostelecom offers to telecom operators:
- Skipping and connecting voice traffic
- IP transit
- Channel rental
- VPN
Rostelecom has expanded its services to include technical support and repair work on the network, which requires knowledge of technical English. The company's specialists interact with telecom operators to organize services and provide technical support.
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ICT Spending & Priorities
Rostelecom allocated 80% of its software budget for external solutions and 20% for internal product development between 2019 and 2024.
The company acquires system-wide software, virtualization tools, and database management systems from external vendors. It creates its own products for highly specialized tasks within the company.
Rostelecom has about 300 solutions available in the register of domestic software. The company expects to achieve 100% import substitution of system-wide software in its internal infrastructure by 2025.
The company plans to build a unified stack of IT tools and a secure development pipeline for internal and commercializable products. Rostelecom is also considering transferring all targeted services and workplaces to a corporate cloud environment under its internal virtualization platform and dynamic infrastructure Basis.
Here's a breakdown of Rostelecom's software budget allocation:
Note that the company's focus on import substitution is part of its digital transformation strategy.
BGP Configuration Error Causing Network Failure
A BGP configuration error can cause a network failure, and it's essential to understand the potential consequences. In 2021, Rostelecom experienced a failure that left most of Kamchatka without communication due to a cable break caused by a third-party organization during excavation work.
The incident highlights the importance of proper network configuration and maintenance. Rostelecom's failure was not related to the work of Roskomnadzor, but it did demonstrate the potential for network failures to impact a wide range of services.
In another instance, a BGP configuration error can cause a network failure, and it's essential to understand the potential consequences. On March 10, 2021, Rostelecom experienced a failure that left users with problems accessing the Internet and caused the sites of some Russian authorities to stop working.
The failure was reported by residents of several cities across Russia, including Moscow, St. Petersburg, and Novosibirsk. The problems were tracked by the Downdetector service, which reported 92% of users complaining about internet issues.
Here are some key statistics from the Downdetector service:
It's worth noting that Rostelecom has been appointed as the sole executor of several government projects, including the modernization of the state information system of compulsory health insurance and the provision of internet access services for secondary schools and regional election commissions.
Savings from Procurement
Rostelecom saved 40.2 billion rubles on procurement in 2016.
This significant savings is attributed to the company's procurement efficiency, which was achieved through a number of factors. The general macroeconomic changes and moderate market stagnation in the telecommunications industry strengthened the competitive environment.
The company's procurement policy is being implemented with a balance of centralization and decentralization of functions, and a consistent distribution of powers to the level of regional divisions. This has led to a high economic effect on purchases of construction and installation works (CIW) for the construction of broadband access communication networks.
A notable example of this is the redistribution of purchases from large contractors to procurement of CIW from local companies in the regions. This resulted in a high economic effect on such purchases.
The company's adoption of a program for optimizing procurement processes in mid-2013 has also contributed to the savings. The program aims to reduce the company's costs through market regulation of procurement activities.
The program includes measures to remove unnecessary restrictions and barriers for bidders, increasing the transparency of procurement, and leading to an increase in healthy competition in trading. All contracts include an "anti-corruption clause" and an "ethical line" works.
Abolishes Macro-Regional Branches

Rostelecom has made a significant change by abolishing its macro-regional branches, leaving only the corporate center and regional structures. This move is part of the company's restructuring efforts.
The company's new strategy assumes "aggressive cost optimization" in the traditional business, including reducing personnel costs and management levels. This will likely affect some employees.
Rostelecom's new structure will have a two-tier model, with competency centers formed with distributed teams in different regions. These teams will work on specific areas, such as data center/Cloud, information security, and digital regions.
The company did not specify exactly how many employees will be affected by the restructuring. However, it's mentioned that some employees will be transferred to new structural units, while others will be reduced.
The restructuring is expected to speed up processes and simplify decision-making, allowing for faster and more efficient launch of new products and innovative solutions. This is part of the company's goal to transform its structure by 2025.
Here's a brief overview of Rostelecom's restructuring timeline:
Buying Intent Signals
Rostelecom is working on a platform to exchange big data with other companies, including VTB and potential partners like Tele2 and Magnit. This platform aims to combine customer data from various sources to create user profiles.
The system will have information on a person's gender, age, purchases, preferences, income, and movements. Customer profiles will be tied to abstract IDs, not personal data.
Rostelecom's President, Mikhail Oseevsky, and VTB's First Deputy Chairman, Dmitry Olyunin, are involved in this project. They're exploring ways to assess creditworthiness and develop customer retention methods.
Other potential uses of the platform include creating a single app for mobile payments, more functional than current fast payment systems. The project aims to involve multiple data providers, including companies like Post Bank and Sogaz.
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Email Formats and Examples
Rostelecom's email formats are based on employee names, with a high success rate of 75%.
The company uses the '@rt.ru' domain for its corporate communications.
Common patterns include the first initial followed by the last name, or the full first name separated by a dot from the last name.
For instance, an employee's email might be '[email protected]' or '[email protected]'.
Specific departmental emails, such as '[email protected]' for public relations, are also used for general inquiries.
This format is prevalent in Rostelecom's corporate communications.
Attracts 30
Rostelecom is planning to attract 30 billion rubles from Sberbank through a credit line.
The credit line will be used for operating and investment activities, and some of the funds will also be used to repay other payment obligations.
The interest rate on the credit line has yet to be agreed upon, but it will be no more than 15% per annum.
Rostelecom's total debt is currently 176.5 billion rubles, with 77% being loan obligations to various structures.
Sberbank and VTB are the largest creditors of Rostelecom, each accounting for no more than 10% of the total debt.
Rostelecom has also planned to conclude loan agreements with several other banks for a total maximum amount of 510 billion rubles.
The interest rate on each of these loans will be agreed upon at the conclusion of each loan transaction.
Networks
Rostelecom has been building its own STM-64 network, which has covered several major cities in Russia, including Rostov-on-Don, Krasnodar, Volgograd, and Stavropol, by August 2006.
This network is a significant step towards providing high-speed internet access to the entire country, with the goal of covering the whole of Russia by the end of 2006.
Rostelecom also has a satellite system for its Eastern region, which includes 11 land stations in Siberia and the Russian Far East, built using the services of the Russian Orbital Group.
The company is also working on a satellite service for its Western region, but the exact details are not specified in the provided article section.
Rostelecom has also introduced an experimental data transmission network with quantum encryption, which is a first in the country, and uses equipment and solutions from different manufacturers to ensure correct interaction along the entire data transmission path.
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Land Network
Rostelecom had a significant presence in Russia's land network, with its own STM-64 network in the works. This network was expected to cover the entire country by the end of 2006.
By August 2006, the network had already reached several major cities, including Rostov-on-Don, Krasnodar, Volgograd, and Stavropol.
Rostelecom's land network was also used for IP transit, allocated to a separate company called RTComm using Rostelecom's STM-16 FOCL resources.
Satellite Network

Rostelecom has built its satellite system for the Eastern region using the services of the Russian Orbital Group, which comprises 11 land stations in Siberia and the Russian Far East.
The satellite system for the Western region is currently being built.
Cellular Network
A cellular network is a wireless network that allows devices to connect to the internet using cellular towers.
Cellular networks use radio waves to transmit data between devices and towers.
These towers are connected to the internet and can provide access to the internet and other services.
The first cellular network was launched in 1983 in Japan.
Cellular networks have become ubiquitous, with over 5 billion people using mobile devices worldwide.
They are used for a wide range of applications, including voice calls, text messages, and data transfer.
The most common type of cellular network is 4G LTE, which offers fast data speeds and reliable connectivity.
However, 5G networks are being rolled out globally, promising even faster speeds and lower latency.
Cellular networks are an essential part of modern life, enabling communication and access to information on the go.
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Russian Railways Starts Joint Quantum Comm Development

Russian Railways and Rostelecom have joined forces to develop quantum communications, a move that will contribute to the growth of the Russian quantum communications market.
This collaboration aims to introduce quantum technologies in various fields, including government, finance, healthcare, transportation, and critical information infrastructure facilities.
The joint development of quantum communications will enable the secure transmission of data and protect against cyber threats.
In fact, Rostelecom has already demonstrated its capabilities in this area by introducing an experimental data transmission network with quantum encryption in 2019.
This network utilized equipment and solutions from multiple manufacturers, showcasing the correct interaction along the entire data transmission path.
The network also featured several nodes with the technical ability to connect multiple users, regardless of their location or the cryptographic equipment used.
The introduction of quantum encryption technology, such as CRK (quantum key distribution), will enhance the security of data transmission and protect sensitive information.
Russian Railways and Rostelecom's collaboration is a significant step towards advancing quantum communications in Russia.
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Inclusion in Backbone Organizations List
Rostelecom was included in the list of backbone organizations by the Government Commission for Improving the Sustainability of the Russian Economy in March 2020. This recognition highlights the importance of Rostelecom in the Russian economy.
The commission's decision was a significant milestone for Rostelecom, solidifying its position as a key player in the country's telecommunications sector.
In March 2020, Rostelecom received this prestigious recognition, demonstrating its commitment to sustainability and economic growth.
Controversy
In April 2017, Rostelecom caused a major controversy by hijacking internet traffic meant for numerous organizations, including financial institutions like MasterCard and Visa.
Rostelecom originated 50 prefixes for other autonomous systems, redirecting traffic to their own network.
The affected networks included a high number of financial institutions, such as Fortis and Alfa-Bank, making it a curious and suspicious event.
This incident highlighted the potential risks of Rostelecom's actions, especially given their selection to run a Russian national biometric database in 2017.
Sued Russian Post for Unpaid Repair Costs

Rostelecom sued Russian Post for unpaid building repairs in the Kaliningrad Region, and the Arbitration Court ruled in their favor on November 18, 2024.
The unpaid repair costs were for a building jointly owned by Rostelecom and Russian Post.
This is not the first time Rostelecom has made headlines for taking action against another company.
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Theft of Telecom Equipment in Chelyabinsk
The theft of telecom equipment in Chelyabinsk is a serious issue that left hundreds of subscribers without communication for some time. The incident occurred on May 4, 2022, when a thief stole equipment from Rostelecom's street distribution cabinet in the Metallurgical district.
Rostelecom's service engineer, Pavel Shevchenko, was the one who noticed the broken door and the thief trying to flee. He and his partner were able to stop the thief, preventing further damage.

The stolen equipment damaged communication lines, leaving city residents, medical, social, and educational institutions without communication. This is a critical issue, especially in today's digital age where remote issues are often resolved.
Rostelecom's emergency teams responded quickly to the situation, but the damage had already been done. The company is now facing the consequences of the theft, and the thief could face up to five years in prison.
Rostelecom is the largest Russian telecom operator and data center operator, with a capitalization of 320 billion rubles as of November 11, 2021. The company's main telecom business provides 82% of its revenue, with data centers and cloud solutions contributing 11%, services 5%, and information security 2%.
Mass Layoffs: 11,000 Employees
Rostelecom is planning to cut 11 thousand employees, a significant reduction that will affect 5-7% of its workforce. This decision was made in 2015, as the company aimed to increase labor productivity and save 4.3 billion rubles in 2015.

The reduction will be done in a way that leaves 15% of the leadership, about 4 thousand people, intact. The remaining employees who will be laid off are expected to be around 7 thousand, including a significant number of employees of retirement age.
Rostelecom's goal is to reduce its workforce by 5-7% per year, starting from 2015. This is a more ambitious plan than the one implemented by Sberbank of Russia, which reduced its workforce by 10% in 4 years.
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Financials
Rostelecom's financials are a crucial aspect of understanding the company's success. The company has a strong presence in the market, with a significant share of the Russian telecommunications market.
Rostelecom's financial charts provide a clear picture of the company's performance over time.
Key Financial Charts
Financial charts can be a powerful tool for understanding a company's financial situation. They help you visualize key numbers and trends, making it easier to make informed decisions.
A key financial chart is a bar chart that shows a company's revenue growth over time. From start-ups to market leaders, this chart can give you a sense of how a company is performing financially.
Financial charts often include a line graph that shows a company's net income over time. This can help you see how a company's profits are trending.
Understanding financial charts can be crucial for investors, business owners, and anyone looking to make smart financial decisions.
Needs a Preferential Loan of 10
Rostelecom needs a preferential loan of 10 billion rubles to support its project financing mechanism.
The loan is aimed at financing the construction of a submarine line in the Sea of Okhotsk, which is expected to cost about 3 billion rubles.
The project involves laying a fiber-optic cable along the bottom of the Sea of Okhotsk and will have a total length of about 2 thousand km.

The maximum throughput of the system is 400 Gbps in each direction, with the possibility of expansion to 8 Tbit/s.
Rostelecom is not the only company to have applied for a loan under the project financing mechanism, as three loans have been approved so far.
These loans are for Tele2, which received 16 billion rubles for the construction of a network in Moscow, and two poultry farms, which received a total of 13.2 billion rubles.
The government approved the parameters of investment projects for project financing in October 2014, setting a limit of 20 billion rubles per project and 80% of the project's volume for borrowed financing.
Bond Placement of 10
Rostelecom recently placed exchange-traded bonds worth 10 billion rubles, with a coupon rate of 14.4% per annum.
The placement was announced on March 29, 2024, with the term of circulation set at 2 years from the date of placement.
Each bond has a face value of 1,000 rubles.
Settlements on the transactions will be held on the Moscow Exchange on April 3, 2024.
The funds from the placement will go towards refinancing existing debt, and won't increase the company's debt burden.
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Buyback of Minority Shares
Rostelecom's Board of Directors has set the redemption price for dissenting shareholders at 136 rubles per ordinary share and 95 rubles per preferred share, which is significantly higher than the market quotes.
This is according to the law on joint-stock companies, which allows shareholders who didn't participate in the vote on the company's reorganization or voted against it to demand the redemption of their shares.
The company can only allocate up to 10% of its net assets, which is 30 billion rubles, to buy back shares. If all dissenting shareholders demand redemption, it would exceed this limit.
As a result, Rostelecom would only be able to satisfy 18% of the total number of applications, leaving many shareholders without the opportunity to sell their shares.
The largest minority shareholder, Marshall Capital Partners, owns about 10% of the shares and did not participate in the voting. If they present their shares for redemption, they can earn at least 8.2 billion rubles.
NVision fined $64M

NVision Group was ordered to pay Rostelecom over $64 million as a penalty for late delivery of equipment.
Rostelecom took revenge on NVision Group, forcing them to pay a hefty fine for delayed delivery.
The Arbitration Court of the North Caucasus District made the decision on May 3, 2017, upholding the previous decisions of the Arbitration Court of the Krasnodar Territory and the Fifteenth Arbitration Court of Appeal.
The court considered both Rostelecom's claim against NVision Group and the contractor's counterclaim, with NVision demanding a penalty from Rostelecom for late payment.
Rostelecom's claim was for $68.1 million, while NVision's counterclaim was for $4.2 million.
In the end, the court ordered NVision to pay Rostelecom $64.1 million in penalties.
The contract at the center of the dispute involved the supply of equipment and services, but the specifics of the agreement remain unclear.
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Leadership
Rostelecom has made some key leadership changes recently, reflecting its ongoing digital transformation. Over the past year, the company has made strategic appointments to bolster key areas such as presidential administration, cybersecurity, and converged network services.
One notable departure at the senior vice president level was Kirill Menshov, who left the company to move to Sberbank. He was replaced by Dariy Khalitov, who had previously served as vice president for information systems development.
Here's a list of Rostelecom's current top leaders:
In addition to these appointments, Rostelecom has also appointed Yevgeny Miroshnikov as vice president, and Artem Grebenyuk is the Director of Information Security Operations.
Recent Leadership Changes
Rostelecom has made several strategic appointments to bolster key areas such as presidential administration, cybersecurity, and converged network services.
One notable appointment is Yevgeny Miroshnikov, who became vice president of Rostelecom in August 2024. He previously served as the head of the digital development department of the Belgorod region.
At least one senior vice president has departed from Rostelecom, with Kirill Menshov leaving the company to join Sberbank.
Dariy Khalitov became the chief information officer of Rostelecom, replacing Kirill Menshov, and has been appointed senior vice president for information technology.
Rostelecom has a diverse leadership team, with a mix of experienced professionals in various roles.
Tadviser Interview with Kirill Peschany

Kirill Peschany, Vice President for Operation and Infrastructure of PJSC Rostelecom, shared insights on the company's technical support and infrastructure in March 2025.
Rostelecom employs over 100,000 employees using more than 2,000 information systems, requiring a robust technical support system.
The company has a large IT infrastructure, with over 300 internal solutions available in the register of domestic software.
In the past five years, Rostelecom has spent 80% of its software budget on external solutions, with the remaining 20% dedicated to internal product development.
The company is planning to achieve 100% import substitution of system-wide software in its internal infrastructure by 2025.
This will enable Rostelecom to build a unified stack of IT tools and a secure development pipeline for internal and commercializable products.
Rostelecom is also considering transferring all targeted services and workplaces to the corporate cloud environment under the control of its internal virtualization platform and dynamic infrastructure Basis.
The company is actively implementing various projects in the field of artificial intelligence, including the development of Neurosluse, an online platform for working with AI tools and services.
Government Relations
Rostelecom has been appointed as the sole executor of several government projects, including the modernization of the state information system of compulsory health insurance (GIS compulsory medical insurance) and the creation of the state information system "Unified Centralized Digital Platform in the Social Sphere".
Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin signed a decree in January 2024, appointing Rostelecom as the only provider of Internet access services for secondary schools, vocational educational institutions, and regional and territorial election commissions. This move aims to improve digital infrastructure and ensure secure access to information.
Rostelecom has also been involved in a project to eliminate digital inequality by providing telecommunications communication to small settlements.
Roskomnadzor Leaks Protocol
Roskomnadzor drew up an administrative protocol against Rostelecom for data leaks. This protocol was submitted to a court, though the specific court is not specified.
The protocol was issued under Part 1 of Art. 13.11 of the Administrative Code, which deals with the violation of personal data legislation. The maximum fine for a single violation is 100,000 rubles, and up to 300,000 rubles for a repeated one.
During the audit, Roskomnadzor revealed violations of the law in the field of circulation of personal data of customers.
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Mishustin Appointed Sole Executor of State Legal Stats System

Mikhail Mishustin, the Prime Minister of Russia, signed an order on March 13, 2025, appointing Rostelecom as the sole executor of the state automated system of legal statistics.
The order was a significant move in the development of the state automated system of legal statistics, with Rostelecom taking on a crucial role in its creation and development.
Rostelecom will be responsible for conducting the corresponding procurements, with the Ministry of Digital Development of the Russian Federation overseeing the process.
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Russian Government Sites Shutdown Due to Failure
On March 10, 2021, a failure at Rostelecom caused problems accessing the internet and shut down official online resources of the Russian government, including the president's and government's websites.
The shutdown affected multiple government agencies, including the State Dumas and Federation Council.
Rostelecom's failure also caused problems with television services for 2% of users.
The outage was reported by residents in several major cities, including Moscow, St. Petersburg, and Novosibirsk.

Earlier in March 2021, The New York Times reported on a potential large-scale cyber attack against Russian networks.
Rostelecom's failure was tracked by the Downdetector service, which reported that 92% of users experienced internet problems, 5% had failures with all services, and 2% had issues with television.
The outage was not limited to just internet services, as landline phones became a backup option for communication.
Partnerships and Agreements
Rostelecom has a history of partnering with other companies to drive innovation and growth. The company has signed several significant agreements with leading technology firms, including Huawei and Yandex.
In 2016, Rostelecom and Huawei ratified a cooperation agreement to jointly develop and implement innovative solutions in the field of IT and telecommunications in Russia. The partnership aims to position the introduction of advanced and competitive solutions in the operator's network, making modern communication services more affordable for the market.
Rostelecom has also partnered with Tomsk State University to train highly qualified IT personnel and develop specialized programs for additional and professional education. This collaboration reflects the company's commitment to investing in the development of its workforce and the wider tech industry.

The company has also formed a consortium with Rostec and the Element group of companies to bring Russian electronic products to the market and support the state strategy on import substitution.
Here are some of the key areas of cooperation between Rostelecom and its partners:
- SDN/NFV, IoT, multimedia and entertainment services
- IT solutions, including servers, storage, data protection and processing centers
- Production and customization of subscriber equipment
- Development and delivery of Safe City system solutions
- Design, upgrade and supply of active network equipment
Huawei Cooperation Agreement
Rostelecom and Huawei have been working together since 2016, with a cooperation agreement that's been ratified to develop innovative solutions in IT and telecommunications in Russia.
The agreement covers several areas, including SDN/NFV, IoT multimedia and entertainment services, IT solutions for data centers, and production of subscriber equipment.
One of the key goals of this cooperation is to introduce advanced and competitive solutions in Rostelecom's network, making modern communication services more affordable for the market.
The companies have already implemented several large projects in Russia, including the longest optical data transmission network in Europe.
Here are some of the specific areas where Rostelecom and Huawei are cooperating:
- SDN/NFV, IoT multimedia and entertainment services;
- IT solutions (servers, storage, data protection and processing centers, uninterruptible power supplies, virtualization system, etc.), including for data centers;
- Production and customization of subscriber equipment based on Rostelecom's production facilities;
- Development, modernization, and delivery of solutions for the Safe City system;
- Design, upgrade, and supply of active network equipment, systems, and products (routers, switches, optical channel compaction, access systems, transmission, etc.).
This partnership is a significant step forward for Rostelecom, as it allows the company to leverage Huawei's expertise and resources to improve its services and stay competitive in the market.
Yandex to Provide Cloud Services to Public Sector

In June 2021, Rostelecom and Yandex agreed to create cloud services for the public and corporate sectors.
Rostelecom and Yandex are teaming up to offer cloud services to the public and corporate sectors, a move that aims to provide more efficient and secure solutions for government and businesses.
The agreement was publicly signed by Vladimir Kiriyenko, the first vice-president of Rostelecom, and Tigran Khudaverdyan, the managing director of the Yandex group of companies.
This partnership is a significant step towards modernizing the public sector's technology infrastructure and improving the delivery of services to citizens.
Rostelecom has been working towards increasing its revenue from cloud services, with a goal of 25% of total revenue by 2015, as stated by Alexey Nashchekin, vice president of the company for innovative development.
The company aims to become a global provider of new services, offering entire complexes of services to its clients.
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Co-Financing Agreement with InfraOne
Rostelecom and InfraOne have partnered to co-finance digital infrastructure projects. This agreement aims to attract funding to the sowing stage of projects based on concessions, public-private partnerships, and project financing.
The partnership was announced by Rostelecom South on May 26, 2020.
Agreement with Tsu on IT Personnel Training
Rostelecom has partnered with Tomsk State University (TSU) to train highly qualified IT personnel. This agreement was announced on June 6, 2024.
The partnership aims to develop specialized programs for additional and professional education. David Martirosov, Vice President for IT Operation and Infrastructure of PJSC Rostelecom, and Eduard Galazhinsky, Rector of Tomsk State University, signed the agreement.
The collaboration will provide students with hands-on experience in IT development and training. This will help bridge the gap in the IT industry's demand for skilled professionals.
Here are some of the key aspects of the partnership:
Rostelecom's commitment to training the next generation of IT professionals demonstrates its dedication to the industry's growth and development.
Rebranding and Restructuring
Rostelecom's rebranding and restructuring efforts are a significant shift towards a digital transformation. The company is now positioning itself as an IT company that provides digital services for people, business, and the state.
In the first half of 2018, more than half of Rostelecom's revenue came from digital and content services, including Internet access, pay TV, cloud solutions, and data centers. This shows the growing importance of digital services in the company's business.
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The company is creating teams and competence centers on modern digital technologies, such as biometrics, cybersecurity, the Internet of Things, and smart home solutions. This is a major investment in innovation and expertise.
Rostelecom's updated tariff line and service packages are designed to meet the needs of different families and businesses. The company offers a range of options, including "For the Internet", "For tranquility", "For impressions", "For everything", and "Game." This makes it easier for customers to choose the services they need.
Here are some of the key services offered by Rostelecom's updated platform:
- Wink multimedia platform: a mobile application, web portal, and Smart TV application that offers over 200 TV channels, 12,000 films and episodes of TV series, and additional services like pause and rewind.
- Rostelecom Lyceum platform: an online education platform that provides high-quality, safe, and affordable additional school education with a personal curator and tracking of classes and academic performance.
- Be in Plus: a platform for entrepreneurs that offers high-speed Internet, mobile communications, and additional services like virtual PBX, SMS advertising, Wi-Fi, video surveillance, and TV for business.
The updated visual style of Rostelecom is developed in partnership with Bootleg (group) BBDO and Saffron Brand Consultants. The first advertising campaign in the updated corporate style started on October 1, 2018.
Security and Compliance
Rostelecom has a Director of Information Security Operations, Artem Grebenyuk, who oversees the protection of the company's infrastructure resources and those of its subsidiaries.
In April 2025, Artem Grebenyuk explained how Rostelecom organizes the distribution of duties to protect its infrastructure resources and those of its subsidiaries. The company has a clear plan in place to ensure the security of its assets.
Rostelecom has partnered with Security Code to implement a standard biometric data protection solution, which was announced on March 18, 2019. This partnership demonstrates Rostelecom's commitment to protecting sensitive information.
Tadviser Interview with Artem Grebenyuk, Info Sec Director
Artem Grebenyuk, Director of Information Security Operations at Rostelecom, shared with TAdviser how the distribution of duties to protect the infrastructure resources of Rostelecom itself and its subsidiaries are organized.
In April 2025, Artem Grebenyuk discussed the organization of duty distribution with TAdviser, but unfortunately, the details of the conversation were not provided.
Rostelecom has a clear strategy in place for information security, with a focus on protecting its infrastructure resources and subsidiaries.
The company has a dedicated team in place to handle information security operations, ensuring that their resources and subsidiaries are properly protected from potential threats.
Rostelecom's approach to information security is a key factor in its overall security and compliance strategy.
Implement Standard Biometric Protection Solution
Implementing a standard biometric protection solution is crucial for any organization handling sensitive biometric data. Security Code became an authorized partner of Rostelecom to implement this solution on March 18, 2019.
This partnership enables Security Code to leverage Rostelecom's standard information security solution, specifically designed for biometric data protection. The details of this partnership can be found here.
Closes All Communication Channels
Rostelecom closed all its communication salons in 2022, effectively shutting down channels where customers could connect services, buy smartphones, and make financial transactions.
This move might have caused inconvenience to customers who relied on these salons for various tasks. Rostelecom's decision was announced on October 6, 2022.
Customers could no longer visit these salons to repay loans or make money transfers, which were some of the services offered. Rostelecom's services and services were also available for connection at these salons.
Gartner Called One of the Best
Gartner, a well-known analytical company, called Rostelecom's IT management model one of the best in the world.
Rostelecom's project to transform its IT management model has become a progressive practice globally, and this achievement is a first for Russian companies.
This recognition highlights the effectiveness of Rostelecom's approach to IT management, which has been praised by experts worldwide.
In 2019, Rostelecom switched from a matrix to a "flat" control model in IT, known as the Karma Framework, which is based on self-organizing teams.
The Karma Framework combines modern management practices with a cultural and value approach, increasing employee involvement and eliminating bureaucratic hierarchies.
Rostelecom's IT team is composed of large teams that work together to solve key business problems, and this approach has been recognized as a best practice by Gartner.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the largest Internet provider in Russia?
Rostelecom is the largest digital services provider in Russia, offering a wide range of internet services. It is the leading internet provider in the country, serving millions of customers.
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