Russia To Become One of World’s Leading IT Trendsetters

Russia must become one of the world’s leading developers of IT technologies, President Dmitry Medvedev told the committee for modernization and technological development of the nation’s economy. The president also said that he was satisfied with the introduction of telecommunication systems of new generation in Russia.

“We do not have to invent a wooden bicycle in the field of communication standards. But if Russia could become a trendsetter in the field of IT technologies, it would be good. It is much more pleasant when the world lives on your standards than when you have to adjust to someone else’s standards,” he said.

Medvedev also said that the solution of such complicated problems as rescue operations, effective energy-saving and the work of the electronic government depends on the development of information technologies.

“The total income which 3G communication systems can give today may reach the number of $300 billion,” Medvedev said.

“Russia is currently modernizing its communication networks, provides high-sped access to information networks, introduces digital technologies and replaces outdated telephone stations with state-of-the-art communication systems,” the head of state said.

Most of the above-mentioned projects are conducted successfully, the president said. Medvedev also reminded that Russia successfully launched its first-ever Cyrillic .rf (.рф) national domain.

“I have just checked, the website президент.рф is up and running. The Cyrillic website of the government downloads too. The websites of other state departments will have Cyrillic domains ready this month. Commercial companies will be able to use Cyrillic domain names a bit later. Russia has become the first country in the world which obtained the national domain of the top level,” Medvedev said.

Marina Volkova.