Swedish satellite data provider prefers GLONASS to GPS
Sweden’s Swepos became the first foreign company to use Russia’s GLONASS positioning technology, due to Swepos’ conviction that it is better than GPS at northern latitudes, reported Reuters.
News
FSB proposed banning Skype, Gmail, and Hotmail — then recanted
Federal Security Service (FSB) senior official Alexander Andreyechkin complained last Friday during a government meeting that “the uncontrollable use of Gmail, Hotmail, and Skype [in particular] could lead to a major threat to Russia’s security.” FSB is “more and more concerned about these services using foreign-made cryptographic means” that Russia’s security services cannot access, he added.
Rostelecom to build $50 million 4G network in Chuvashia
Russia’s national telecommunications operator Rostelecom intends to develop 4G network in the Republic of Chuvashia, Kommersant reports. Investment in the project has yet to be disclosed but is estimated by experts at $40-$50 million. The network construction is scheduled to start this year.
Dutch fund buys leading digital TV equipment distributor
First Satellite Company, Russia’s leading distributor and retailer of digital TV equipment, announced last week that it has been acquired by Dutch fund Enterprise Emerging Markets Fund B.V.
Sweden’s Tele2 struggling for its piece of Russian 4G
Tele2 board member Mia Brunell Livfors met with Russian Communications and Mass Media Minister Igor Shchegolev during a Russo-Swedish meeting on bilateral commercial relations held in Stockholm in late March, reported Vedomosti, a Russian business daily.
Microsoft offers grant to antipiracy startup
Pirate Pay, a startup from Perm, and Ajatix, another one from Volgograd, have both received grant funding from the Microsoft Seed Finance Fund. The fund aims to provide direct financial support to startups in the areas of software and SaaS services. The fund was created in November 2010 in partnership with Skolkovo, the state sponsored …
MTS to buy Tatarstan TV and radio company for $180 million
MTS, a leading Russian mobile operator, intends to purchase Republic of Tatarstan TV and Radio Company TVT (TRC TVT) for $180 million, Kommersant reports. TRC TVT, the largest cable TV operator in Tatarstan, is currently 100% owned by TAIF group. It provides services in 15 municipalities and covers over 650,000 households.
Rostelecom to build fiber-optic line to Sakhalin Island
Rostelecom, Russia’s national telecommunications operator, has announced plans to build a fiber-optic communication line (FOCL) to Sakhalin Island in the Far East district.
Cisco announces its first Russian-made product
Cisco has announced its first product to be manufactured in Russia: an innovative hardware VPN module that will be produced via a multi-level high-tech supply chain using Cisco’s Russian partners. This production launch is presented as the result of the long-term commitment Cisco made last June to help sustainably develop technological innovation in Russia.
Euroset promises to pay dividends after IPO
Euroset Holding NV, parent company of Euroset Group, has promised to pay dividends in 2012 that range from 45% to 75% of the consolidated net income of the preceding fiscal year, as stated in the preliminary prospectus for the IPO of Euroset Holding.
Samara region launches $21 million telecom services development plan
A total of $21.2m is to be spent on development of telecommunications services in the villages in Samara region, regional officials report. The project is reportedly expected to be financed under private-public partnership, with half of the funding to be allocated from the regional budget, and another half to be invested by the region’s telecom …
Samara region launches $21 million telecom services development plan Read More
Russian online hotel booking system raises funds from Western and Russian VCs
Oktogo.ru, a Russian online hotel reservation company with its headquarters in St. Petersburg, is closing a $5 million round of financing with Western funds Ventech and Mangrove Capital Partners and Russian fund ABRT. The two Western funds confirmed the transaction to EWDN but did not disclose the startup’s valuation.
