subscribe to news Sviaz 2023 participants discuss priorities for the industry

The Sviaz 2023 Forum opened today at EXPOCENTRE Fairgrounds with the Plenary Session on Information Technology: A Course Towards National Priorities.

The forum is part of Russian Week of High Technologies 2023 and is organised by EXPOCENTRE AO together RBC with the support of the Russian Ministry of Digital Development, Communications and Mass Media, and the Russian State Duma Committee on Science and Higher Education.

The first session of the forum was opened and moderated by Deputy of the Russian State Duma and Chair at the NTI Expo Organising Committee Vladimir Kononov. RBC TV anchor Anna Gara co-moderated the discussion.

In his opening speech, Vladimir Kononov said, “In today's world, the telecommunications industry is one of the pillars of development of any country and Russia in particular. In the current situation, the telecommunications industry is facing major challenges. In March of this year, Russian President Vladimir Putin instructed the Government to elaborate a development strategy for the telecommunications industry until the year 2035. The key goal is to achieve technological sovereignty, which the country's leadership is constantly talking about and doing a lot to achieve. What do we have today? What new measures to support the industry are offered by the relevant agencies? How do the regions train young professionals? How is business transforming and developing in the current environment? These and other topics are at the heart of the discussion.”

Director of the Department of State Regulation of the Telecommunications Market of the Russian Ministry of Digital Development, Communications and Mass Media Dmitry Tur spoke about the steps that were already being taken towards elaborating the development strategy for the telecommunication industry until 2035. “Now we are at the stage of shaping the image of the future,” he said. “One of the most critical problems, which we are facing now, is equipment, and software and hardware complexes.” According to Mr. Tur, the main national course is to substitute the import of key solutions in various types of telecommunications, as well as to find opportunities to increase efficiency and reduce costs of key operators, including through consolidation of their capabilities.”

Deputy Head of the Moscow City Information Technologies Department Alexander Gorbatko shared with the participants of the plenary session up-to-date information on IT development in the Russian capital.

“The department has set up laboratories where we attract software market players for testing. It is necessary to develop skills and abilities to implement new software products into already existing large information systems,” emphasised Mr. Gorbatko. “You cannot turn off all the information systems that have been created so far, but they can be improved and import substitution is necessary. Russian companies need to pay attention not only to creation, but also to operation and, most importantly, to engineering the introduction of new products into already existing systems in the authorities.”

Deputy Minister for Technology and Innovation of the Ministry of Communications of the Islamic Republic of Iran Meisam Abedi addressed the plenary session. He focused on the use of artificial intelligence to optimize telecommunications networks.

“One of the most promising areas where artificial intelligence can make a difference is in telecommunications,” said Mr. Abedi. “It is a highly competitive and dynamic industry facing increasing customer expectations, growing network complexity, and growing security threats.”

According to Mr. Abedi, to address these challenges telecoms companies need to use the capabilities of artificial intelligence in their operations, products and services.

The session participants also discussed other issues and problems related to key national priorities in the sphere of information technologies, touching upon digital transformation of the industry, implementation of neuro-technologies, training of qualified personnel, and development of optimal mechanisms of state support for IT and telecom companies.

The Sviaz 2023 Forum continued with the Thematic Session No.1 on Operators and Technologies: Trends, Development Prospects. It brought together leading industry players to discuss current realities and trends in the Russian telecommunications market, share experience and their views on the prospects for further industry development. 

Press Service, EXPOCENTRE AO