IT and regions of Russia: Centralized program for elimination of “digital divide” between regions of Russia to be resumed

On February 8th 2012 during the “Innovative Russia – Meeting Global Challenges” conference (a part of “Russian Business Week”) the Minister of Communications and Mass Media of Russia - Igor Shchegolev -announced that the Ministry considered the possibility to resume the centralized program called to close “digital divide” between regions.

The Minister mentioned that Russia was among Top 10 countries with the largest rate of increase of broadband Internet subscribers. “Here joint efforts of business and the state bore fruit, and we intend to concentrate our key efforts on equaling access in different regions”, Igor Shchegolev stressed. He recognized that main problems arose in remote areas with low population density.

“Initially we have agreed with regions that the Federation will assist them in building such a network, and then – its development – will be a matter of concern of regions”, Igor Shchegolev added. “To my mind, this doesn’t always promote elimination of “digital divide”, as regions possess different financial resources, while conditions in the regions are not the same as well, he continued. – We believe that at a particular stage it would be necessary to return and carry out centralization of this project”.