    <p>
    <i>The weekly observer of Moscow's tech stories</i>
</p>
<hr />
<h2>
    MARKET IN BRIEF<a class="ce-block__copy-anchor-btn"></a><a class="ce-block__copy-anchor-btn"></a><a class="ce-block__copy-anchor-btn"></a><a class="ce-block__copy-anchor-btn"></a><a class="ce-block__copy-anchor-btn"></a><a class="ce-block__copy-anchor-btn"></a><a class="ce-block__copy-anchor-btn"></a><a class="ce-block__copy-anchor-btn"></a><a class="ce-block__copy-anchor-btn"></a><a class="ce-block__copy-anchor-btn"></a><a class="ce-block__copy-anchor-btn"></a><a class="ce-block__copy-anchor-btn"></a><a class="ce-block__copy-anchor-btn"></a><a class="ce-block__copy-anchor-btn"></a><a class="ce-block__copy-anchor-btn"></a><a class="ce-block__copy-anchor-btn"></a><a class="ce-block__copy-anchor-btn"></a><a class="ce-block__copy-anchor-btn"></a><a class="ce-block__copy-anchor-btn"></a><a class="ce-block__copy-anchor-btn"></a><a class="ce-block__copy-anchor-btn"></a><a class="ce-block__copy-anchor-btn"></a><a class="ce-block__copy-anchor-btn"></a><a class="ce-block__copy-anchor-btn"></a><a class="ce-block__copy-anchor-btn"></a><a class="ce-block__copy-anchor-btn"></a><a class="ce-block__copy-anchor-btn"></a><a class="ce-block__copy-anchor-btn"></a><a class="ce-block__copy-anchor-btn"></a><a class="ce-block__copy-anchor-btn"></a><a class="ce-block__copy-anchor-btn"></a><a class="ce-block__copy-anchor-btn"></a><a class="ce-block__copy-anchor-btn"></a><a class="ce-block__copy-anchor-btn"></a><a class="ce-block__copy-anchor-btn"></a><a class="ce-block__copy-anchor-btn"></a><a class="ce-block__copy-anchor-btn"></a><a class="ce-block__copy-anchor-btn"></a><a class="ce-block__copy-anchor-btn"></a><a class="ce-block__copy-anchor-btn"></a><a class="ce-block__copy-anchor-btn"></a><a class="ce-block__copy-anchor-btn"></a><a class="ce-block__copy-anchor-btn"></a><a class="ce-block__copy-anchor-btn"></a><a class="ce-block__copy-anchor-btn"></a><a class="ce-block__copy-anchor-btn"></a><a class="ce-block__copy-anchor-btn"></a>
</h2>

    <p>
    <i>main news about Moscow's projects, developers and technologies</i>
</p>
    <div>
        <a class="image_link" target="_blank" href="https://ict.moscow/en/news/moscow-metro-launched-a-service-for-instant-fare-payment-in-partnership-with-vtb-google-and-mastercard/">
            <img alt="" data-openpopup="0"
                 src="https://ict.moscow/static/1200x/435b9df4-de31-5b3e-a97b-7c5aa76bd77e.png">
        </a>
    </div>

<ul>
    <li>Moscow Metro <a target="_blank" href="https://ict.moscow/en/news/moscow-metro-launched-a-service-for-instant-fare-payment-in-partnership-with-vtb-google-and-mastercard/">launched</a> a service for instant fare payment in partnership with VTB, Google and Mastercard</li>
</ul>

<ul>
    <li>Beeline and Nokia will jointly <a target="_blank" href="https://ict.moscow/en/news/beeline-and-nokia-will-jointly-implement-open-ran-concept-which-will-accelerate-the-deployment-of-5g-networks/">implement</a> Open RAN concept, which will accelerate the deployment of 5G networks</li>
</ul>

<ul>
    <li>VTB and MTS <a target="_blank" href="https://ict.moscow/en/news/vtb-and-mts-completed-a-deal-to-issue-a-bank-guarantee-through-the-russian-blockchain-platform/">completed</a> a deal to issue a bank guarantee using the Masterchain blockchain platform (Card of <a target="_blank" href="https://ict.moscow/en/card/masterchain/">Masterchain</a>)</li>
</ul>

<ul>
    <li>YouDrive and Citymobil will <a target="_blank" href="https://ict.moscow/en/news/youdrive-and-citymobil-will-combine-technologies-and-resources-to-develop-it-infrastructure/">combine</a> technologies and resources to develop IT infrastructure (Cards of <a target="_blank" href="https://ict.moscow/en/card/youdrive-pool/">Youdrive</a> and <a target="_blank" href="https://ict.moscow/en/card/sitymobil/">Citymobil</a>)&nbsp;</li>
</ul>

<ul>
    <li>Russian retailer Magnit <a target="_blank" href="https://ict.moscow/en/news/russian-retailer-magnit-has-launched-its-magnit-pay-payment-service-and-will-create-a-super-app/">has launched</a> its Magnit Pay payment service and will create a super app</li>
</ul>

<div class="incut-block incut-block-text-small-size">
            <p><b>GOV AGENDA</b></p>
            <p>A list of AI solutions that will be implemented in Russian ministries in 2023-2024 has been <a target="_blank" href="https://ict.moscow/en/news/the-ministry-of-digital-development-has-formed-a-list-of-ai-solutions-that-will-be-implemented-in-russian-ministries-in-2023-2024/">formed</a> by The Ministry of Digital Development</p>
            <p>An inventory of IT resources of Russian government agencies will be <a target="_blank" href="https://ict.moscow/en/news/the-ministry-of-digital-development-will-conduct-an-inventory-of-it-resources-of-government-agencies/">conducted</a> until April 2021</p>
    </div>
    <p>
    <a target="_blank" href="https://ict.moscow/en/news/"><b>More news&nbsp;→</b></a>
</p>
<hr />
<h2>
    INVESTMENT DEALS<a class="ce-block__copy-anchor-btn"></a><a class="ce-block__copy-anchor-btn"></a><a class="ce-block__copy-anchor-btn"></a><a class="ce-block__copy-anchor-btn"></a><a class="ce-block__copy-anchor-btn"></a><a class="ce-block__copy-anchor-btn"></a><a class="ce-block__copy-anchor-btn"></a><a class="ce-block__copy-anchor-btn"></a><a class="ce-block__copy-anchor-btn"></a><a class="ce-block__copy-anchor-btn"></a><a class="ce-block__copy-anchor-btn"></a><a class="ce-block__copy-anchor-btn"></a><a class="ce-block__copy-anchor-btn"></a><a class="ce-block__copy-anchor-btn"></a><a class="ce-block__copy-anchor-btn"></a><a class="ce-block__copy-anchor-btn"></a><a class="ce-block__copy-anchor-btn"></a><a class="ce-block__copy-anchor-btn"></a>
</h2>

<ul>
    <li>Softline <a target="_blank" href="https://ict.moscow/en/news/softline-acquires-german-it-company-softline-ag/">acquires</a> 63.38% of the German IT company Softline AG&nbsp;</li>
</ul>

<ul>
    <li>Mamba dating service <a target="_blank" href="https://ict.moscow/en/news/mamba-dating-service-enters-the-italian-and-german-markets/">enters</a> the Italian and German markets (Card of <a target="_blank" href="https://ict.moscow/en/card/mamba/">Mamba</a>)<a target="_blank" class="ce-block__copy-anchor-btn"></a></li>
    <li>VTB is <a target="_blank" href="https://ict.moscow/en/news/vtb-will-transfer-50-of-citybike-shares-to-the-moscow-city-free-of-charge/">ready to transfer</a> 50% shares of the capital's bicycle rental operator CityBike to the Moscow city free of charge</li>
</ul>

<hr />
<h2>
    ANALYTICS AND INSIGHTS<a class="ce-block__copy-anchor-btn"></a><a class="ce-block__copy-anchor-btn"></a><a class="ce-block__copy-anchor-btn"></a><a class="ce-block__copy-anchor-btn"></a><a class="ce-block__copy-anchor-btn"></a><a class="ce-block__copy-anchor-btn"></a><a class="ce-block__copy-anchor-btn"></a><a class="ce-block__copy-anchor-btn"></a><a class="ce-block__copy-anchor-btn"></a><a class="ce-block__copy-anchor-btn"></a><a class="ce-block__copy-anchor-btn"></a><a class="ce-block__copy-anchor-btn"></a><a class="ce-block__copy-anchor-btn"></a><a class="ce-block__copy-anchor-btn"></a><a class="ce-block__copy-anchor-btn"></a><a class="ce-block__copy-anchor-btn"></a><a class="ce-block__copy-anchor-btn"></a><a class="ce-block__copy-anchor-btn"></a>
</h2>

    <p>
    <i>researches, monitorings, reports and other analytics of Moscow and Russian IT market</i>
</p>
<ul>
    <li><a target="_blank" href="https://ict.moscow/en/research/russian-enterprise-storage-systems-tracker-market-q3-2020/">IDC</a>: external storage systems for a total amount of $129.72 million were delivered to the Russian market in Q3 2020 →</li>
</ul>

<ul>
    <li><a target="_blank" href="https://ict.moscow/en/research/the-story-of-the-year-remote-work/">Kaspersky Lab</a>: more than 1.66 million unique malicious files were detected spread under the guise of messengers and online conference applications during COVID-19 pandemic →</li>
</ul>

<ul>
    <li><a target="_blank" href="https://ict.moscow/en/news/ministry-of-digital-development-mobile-traffic-in-the-first-three-quarters-of-this-year-grew-by-one-and-a-half-times/">Ministry of Digital Development</a>: mobile traffic in the first three quarters of this year grew by one and a half times →</li>
</ul>

<ul>
    <li><a target="_blank" href="https://ict.moscow/en/news/data-insight-the-volume-of-russian-online-export-will-grow-by-42-by-the-end-of-2020/">eBay and Data Insight</a>: the volume of Russian online export will grow by 42% by the end of 2020&nbsp;→</li>
</ul>

<hr />
<h2>
    DIGITAL SOLUTIONS FROM MOSCOW<a class="ce-block__copy-anchor-btn"></a><a class="ce-block__copy-anchor-btn"></a><a class="ce-block__copy-anchor-btn"></a><a class="ce-block__copy-anchor-btn"></a><a class="ce-block__copy-anchor-btn"></a><a class="ce-block__copy-anchor-btn"></a><a class="ce-block__copy-anchor-btn"></a><a class="ce-block__copy-anchor-btn"></a><a class="ce-block__copy-anchor-btn"></a><a class="ce-block__copy-anchor-btn"></a><a class="ce-block__copy-anchor-btn"></a><a class="ce-block__copy-anchor-btn"></a><a class="ce-block__copy-anchor-btn"></a><a class="ce-block__copy-anchor-btn"></a><a class="ce-block__copy-anchor-btn"></a><a class="ce-block__copy-anchor-btn"></a><a class="ce-block__copy-anchor-btn"></a><a class="ce-block__copy-anchor-btn"></a>
</h2>

    <p>
    <i>a showcase of some e-payment solutions&nbsp;</i>
</p>
    <p>
    <a target="_blank" href="https://ict.moscow/en/card/visa-qiwi-wallet/">QIWI wallet</a>
</p>
    <p>
    Electronic payment system
</p>
    <p>
    <a target="_blank" href="https://ict.moscow/en/card/yandekskassa/">Yandex.Checkout</a>
</p>
    <p>
    Online payment service for business
</p>
    <p>
    <a target="_blank" href="https://ict.moscow/en/card/briskly/">Briskly pay</a>
</p>
    <p>
    Contactless payment service
</p>
    <p>
    <a target="_blank" href="https://ict.moscow/en/card/1c-sim/">1C-SIM</a>
</p>
    <p>
    Personal electronic signature tool
</p>
    <p>
    <a target="_blank" href="https://ict.moscow/en/cards/?tags=electronic_payments"><b>More solutions&nbsp; →</b></a>
</p>
<hr />
<h2>
    KEY ACTORS IN IT<a class="ce-block__copy-anchor-btn"></a><a class="ce-block__copy-anchor-btn"></a><a class="ce-block__copy-anchor-btn"></a><a class="ce-block__copy-anchor-btn"></a><a class="ce-block__copy-anchor-btn"></a><a class="ce-block__copy-anchor-btn"></a><a class="ce-block__copy-anchor-btn"></a><a class="ce-block__copy-anchor-btn"></a><a class="ce-block__copy-anchor-btn"></a><a class="ce-block__copy-anchor-btn"></a><a class="ce-block__copy-anchor-btn"></a><a class="ce-block__copy-anchor-btn"></a><a class="ce-block__copy-anchor-btn"></a><a class="ce-block__copy-anchor-btn"></a><a class="ce-block__copy-anchor-btn"></a><a class="ce-block__copy-anchor-btn"></a><a class="ce-block__copy-anchor-btn"></a><a class="ce-block__copy-anchor-btn"></a>
</h2>

    <p>
    <i>discover people who stand behind the innovative companies and projects in Moscow</i>
</p>
    <p>
    <b>Aleksey Sergeev</b>, Deputy Vice President of Mail.ru Group, Head of the B2B direction of Citymobil | <a target="_blank" href="https://www.facebook.com/sergeev.aleksey">Facebook</a> | <a target="_blank" href="https://ru.linkedin.com/in/sergeev">LinkedIn</a>. 
</p>
    <p>
    <b>Boris Golikov</b>, Founder of YouDrive | <a target="_blank" href="https://www.facebook.com/boris.golikov">Facebook</a> | <a target="_blank" href="https://ru.linkedin.com/in/boris-golikov-17903311">LinkedIn</a>
</p>
    <p>
    <b>Sergey Chernovolenko</b>, CEO of Softline | <a target="_blank" href="https://www.facebook.com/sergey.chernovolenko.58">Facebook</a> | <a target="_blank" href="https://ru.linkedin.com/in/sergey-chernovolenko-70bb41a1">LinkedIn</a>
</p>
    <p>
    <b>Andrey Bronetskiy</b>, CEO of Mamba | <a target="_blank" href="https://ru.linkedin.com/in/andrey-bronetskiy-04167712">LinkedIn</a>
</p>
<hr />
    <p>
    ❄️❄️❄️
</p>
    <p>
    <b>ICT.Moscow team wishes you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!</b>
</p>
    <p>
    <b>Next issue of the Tech in Moscow newsletter will be available on January 18th.&nbsp;</b>
</p>
    <p>
    ❄️❄️❄️
</p>
<hr />
    <p>
    <a target="_blank" href="https://ict.moscow/en/news/?filterCategory=Tech-in-Moscow">Previous Tech in Moscow&nbsp;newsletters</a>
</p>

ICT.Moscow

Tech in Moscow #18 (14 - 20 December 2020)

    <p>
    By the end of 2020, the market for online retail export of goods from Russia will grow by 42%, reaching $1.16 billion. This is the conclusion reached by eBay and Data Insight analysts following a joint study. The number of parcels sent abroad from Russia will amount to 27.4 million (an increase of 75% year-on-year).<br>A large share of the volume of export earnings, according to the research, falls on trading platforms with external logistics, and these are mainly international marketplaces, on which in 2020 Russian entrepreneurs will earn $723 million (62%), and the average check per order will be $125.
</p>
    <p>
    Online platforms with their own logistics, including the largest Russian marketplaces, will have $437 million in total revenue (38%), with the average shipping cost of $20.
</p>
    <p>
    eBay told the publication that their site accounts for 21% of foreign sales of Russian sellers on export marketplaces ($235 million in monetary terms). The largest Russian online retailer Wildberries also confirmed the growth of online exports, but insists that by the end of the year their platform will become the largest export platform, not eBay.
</p>
    <p>
    <a target="_blank" href="https://ict.moscow/research/roznichnyi-eksport-tovarov-cherez-internet-2020/">"Online retail export of goods 2020" Report (in Russian)</a>
</p>
    <p>
    <a target="_blank" href="https://ict.moscow/news/data-insight-obem-rossiiskogo-onlain-eksporta-vyrastet-na-42-po-itogam-goda/">Original in Russian</a>
</p>

Kommersant

eBay and Data Insight: the volume of Russian online export will grow by 42% by the end of 2020

    <p>
    Beeline and Nokia signed a partnership agreement to implement the Open RAN concept, which will accelerate the deployment of 5G networks.
</p>
    <p>
    The partnership is a continuation and development of a joint research project of the companies in the field of Virtual RAN (virtualisation in the access network), which was implemented several years ago. Now Beeline and Nokia plan to carry out joint pilot projects and test various technical solutions (both individual network components and networks built with their use) based on the Open RAN concept for the Beeline 4G network, and in the future for 5G networks.
</p>
    <p>
    The main sites for pilots and tests will be the operator's and Nokia's R&amp;D laboratories in Moscow.
</p>
    <p>
    Companies also plan to engage other vendors, including Russian, who support the concept of using open interfaces in radio access networks. Among the tasks of cooperation is the search and study of options for localising individual components of radio equipment for promising mobile communication standards.
</p>
    <p>
    <a target="_blank" href="https://ict.moscow/news/bilain-i-nokia-budut-vmeste-testirovat-resheniia-dlia-5g-v-kontseptsii-open-ran/">Original (in Russian)</a>
</p>

Beeline

Beeline and Nokia will jointly implement Open RAN concept, which will accelerate the deployment of 5G networks

    <p>
    According to the Ministry of Digital Development of the Russian Federation, the volume of mobile Internet traffic in the first nine months of this year amounted to 16.2 billion GB. Last year, for the same period, the figure was 10.9 billion GB, the department reported earlier. The total amount of used (downloaded and generated) traffic in the first three quarters of this year was 59.9 billion. Therefore, the share of mobile Internet accounts for 27%.
</p>
    <p>
    According to analysts, in the future, users will continue to switch to the mobile Internet, abandoning fixed access networks. In addition, an increase in the load on 4G will lead to a decrease in the average speed of mobile Internet, believes Ilya Shatilin, an analyst at TelecomDaily. The expert notes that LTE networks can be developed further, increasing their capacity indoors, where 80% of traffic is generated. But this requires large investments, while the introduction of 5G would significantly increase the capabilities of operators for much less money.
</p>
    <p>
    In 2020, the consumption of mobile Internet by Tele2 subscribers increased by more than 50% year-on-year, and call time - by 12% compared to 2019. From January to November 2020, traffic in Megafon's networks grew by almost 30% compared to the same period last year. In 2020, the use of traffic by Beeline subscribers has grown by more than 60%.
</p>
    <p>
    <a target="_blank" href="https://ict.moscow/news/mintsifry-mobilnyi-trafik-za-pervye-tri-kvartala-etogo-goda-vyros-v-poltora-raza/">Original (in Russian)</a>
</p>

Izvestia

Ministry of Digital Development: mobile traffic in the first three quarters of this year grew by one and a half times

    <p>
    VTB and MTS were the first in Russia to carry out a transaction to issue a bank guarantee using the <a href="https://ict.moscow/en/card/masterchain/" target="_blank">Masterchain</a> blockchain platform.
</p>
    <p>
    The operation was carried out in real time: VTB issued a digital guarantee signed with an enhanced qualified signature, MTS accepted the document, sent a notification to the bank, and clarified it to VTB.
</p>
    <p>
    According to Vadim Kulik, Deputy President and Chairman of the VTB Management Board, the issuance of electronic bank guarantees makes it possible to speed up the process and reduce paperwork. In turn, Alexander Smirnov, director of the corporate finance and treasury department of MTS, noted that accounting guarantees in the Masterchain network would allow consolidating information on all issued bank guarantees in favor of the MTS group in a single system. This will significantly speed up the process of their issuance and receipt, reduce operating costs for administration, Smirnov believes.
</p>
    <p>
    The Masterchain platform has been developed since 2016 by banks within the Fintech association under the auspices of the Central Bank of the Russian Federation. Qiwi, Sberbank, Alfa-Bank, Tinkoff Bank and others also took part in the creation of the platform.
</p>
    <p>
    At the end of 2019, Masterchain passed the FSB certification and was put into commercial operation.
</p>
    <p>
    <a href="https://ict.moscow/news/vtb-i-mts-proveli-sdelku-po-vydache-bankovskoi-garantii-cherez-rossiiskuiu-blokchein-platformu/" target="_blank">Original (in Russian)</a>
</p>

TASS

VTB and MTS completed a deal to issue a bank guarantee using the Masterchain blockchain platform

    <p>
    The Moscow-based NtechLab algorithm for deepfake video recognition was recognized by experts from the Facebook AI laboratory and the University of California at San Diego as the most resistant to deception using "adversarial attacks", subtle video distortions that allow you to deceive a neural network.
</p>
    <p>
    The researchers analysed the algorithm after it was placed third in the international Deepfake Detection Challenge in June this year.
</p>
    <p>
    <a target="_blank" href="https://ict.moscow/news/issledovateli-facebook-i-kaliforniiskogo-universiteta-v-san-diego-nazvali-algoritm-ntechlab-samym-ustoichivym-k-atakam/">Original (in Russian)</a>
</p>

CNews

Researchers from Facebook and the University of California San Diego named NtechLab's deepfake video recognition algorithm the most resistant to attacks

    <p>
    Coursera has presented the final version of the Global Skills Index, a global survey of the training level of IT professionals in various fields.
</p>
    <p>
    Russia is placed first in the&nbsp; "Technology" and "Data Science" categories, and 9th in the "Business". Analysts note that Russian specialists occupy first places in international competitions, ahead of the USA and China, and also produce the largest number of specialists - about 450 thousand per year.
</p>
    <p>
    Analysts also assessed what are the professional skills, as well as the qualifications of personnel in 10 different industries, including IT and telecom, healthcare, and the automotive industry. Here are some research insights:
</p>
<ul>
    <li>Working with cloud computing and&nbsp;artificial intelligence algorithms are the most trending skills in the IT field.</li>
    <li>The telecom industry has demonstrated the highest professionalism of experts in the field of machine learning, which is associated with the high penetration of technology into almost all segments of this area;
In the healthcare sector, analysts saw an average level of preparedness of IT specialists, including in the field of machine learning and big data, only the security engineering skills of developers were highly rated;&nbsp;</li>
    <li>The automotive industry has demonstrated a high level of preparedness of the IT staff, which is associated with developments in the field of unmanned aerial vehicles.&nbsp;</li>
    <li>In the Data Science category, the automotive industry came in third, and analysts expect more investment in this segment.<a class="ce-block__copy-anchor-btn" target="_blank"></a></li>
</ul>

    <p>
    <a target="_blank" href="https://www.coursera.org/gsi">Global Skills Index</a>
</p>
<div>
    <img alt="" data-openpopup="0"
         src="https://ict.moscow/static/1200x/f1943d0d-8e86-5c21-9cc9-acc010e6cb2c.jpeg">
</div>

    <p>
    <a href="https://ict.moscow/news/coursera-rossiia-prodolzhaet-zanimat-1-e-mesto-v-kategoriiakh-tekhnologii-i-data-science-v-global-skills-index/" target="_blank">Original (in Russian)</a>
</p>

Coursera

Coursera: Russia continues to rank #1 in the Technology and Data Science categories in the Global Skills Index

    <p>
    Sberbank and Microsoft Research have developed&nbsp;an AI&nbsp;robot control system.&nbsp;It allows robots to be trained to interact with the physical world.
</p>
    <p>
    The key goal of the research project was to develop a solution that can interact with people, freeing them from mechanically complex routine work and providing a high level of security. The system can be applied in various fields - from logistics to rescue operations.<br>Work on the project was carried out at the Robotics Laboratory of Sberbank in Moscow and at Microsoft in Berkeley and Redmond in the USA and lasted from May 2019 to May 2020. The developers had to create a technology for unloading cash collector bags with coins weighing up to 6 kg using a robotic arm from mobile carts for their subsequent processing in calculating machines. Real-world tests of the system have shown that it can operate with an accuracy of 95%.
</p>
    <p>
    Work on the project took place in three stages. The first stage involved the development of a simulation of a robotic installation and deformable bags of coins, taking into account their physical characteristics. The second stage involved integrating simulators with a machine learning framework and conducting experiments in a simulation environment. At the final third stage, the intelligent agent trained in simulators was transferred directly to a physical robot.<br><a target="_blank" href="https://ict.moscow/news/sberbank-i-microsoft-razrabotali-ii-sistemu-upravleniia-robotami/">Original (in Russian)</a>
</p>
    <p>
    
</p>

Microsoft

Sberbank and Microsoft have developed an AI robot control system

    <p>
    <i>The weekly observer of Moscow's tech stories</i>
</p>
<hr />
<h2>
    MARKET IN BRIEF
</h2>

    <p>
    <i>main news about Moscow's projects, developers and technologies</i>
</p>
    <div>
        <a class="image_link" target="_blank" href="https://ict.moscow/en/news/face-id-to-pay-fare-will-appear-in-the-moscow-metro-in-2021/">
            <img alt="" data-openpopup="0"
                 src="https://ict.moscow/static/1200x/48f4c15f-3aa6-54f7-9ec7-7da1afce5253.png">
        </a>
    </div>

<ul>
    <li>Face ID to pay fare will <a href="https://ict.moscow/en/news/face-id-to-pay-fare-will-appear-in-the-moscow-metro-in-2021/" target="_blank">appear</a> in the Moscow metro in 2021</li>
    <li>Moscow's digital projects to fight the COVID-19 pandemic <a href="https://ict.moscow/en/news/moscows-digital-projects-to-fight-the-covid-19-pandemic-receive-a-runet-prize/" style="background-color: rgb(250, 250, 250);" target="_blank">receive</a> a Runet prize</li>
</ul>

<ul>
    <li>Sberbank <a href="https://ict.moscow/en/news/sberbank-plans-to-open-an-international-institute-of-artificial-intelligence-in-russia/" target="_blank">plans</a> to open an international Institute of artificial intelligence in Russia</li>
</ul>

<ul>
    <li>MTS <a href="https://ict.moscow/en/news/mts-launched-a-russian-base-station-in-its-network/" target="_blank">launched</a> a Russian base station in its network</li>
</ul>

<ul>
    <li>AI-powered knowledge base service for employee support AutoFAQ is <a href="https://ict.moscow/en/news/ai-powered-knowledge-base-service-for-employee-and-customer-support-autofaq-is-included-in-the-register-of-domestic-software/" target="_blank">included</a> in the register of domestic software  (Card of <a href="https://ict.moscow/en/card/autofaq/" target="_blank">AutoFAQ</a>)</li>
</ul>

<div class="incut-block incut-block-text-small-size">
            <p><b>GOV AGENDA</p>
            <p></b></p>
            <p>A draft law on a tax on cryptocurrency has been <a href="https://ict.moscow/en/news/a-draft-law-on-a-tax-on-cryptocurrency-has-been-submitted-to-the-state-duma/" target="_blank">submitted</a> to the State Duma</p>
    </div>
    <p>
    <a href="https://ict.moscow/en/news/" target="_blank"><b>More news →</b></a>
</p>
<hr />
<h2>
    INVESTMENT &amp; IPO DEALS
</h2>

<ul>
    <li>Russian AI company Cleverbots <a href="https://ict.moscow/en/news/russian-ai-company-cleverbots-attracted-1-million-investment-for-development-in-the-international-market/" target="_blank">attracted</a> $1 million investment for development in the international markets (Card of <a href="https://ict.moscow/en/card/marketplace-cleverbots/" target="_blank">Cleverbots</a>)</li>
</ul>

<ul>
    <li>The developer of digital farms City Farmer <a href="https://ict.moscow/en/news/the-developer-of-digital-farms-city-farmer-attracted-investments-from-ibs-in-exchange-for-55-of-the-company/" target="_blank">attracted</a> investments from IBS in exchange for 55% of the company</li>
</ul>

<ul>
    <li>Online English school for children Novakid <a href="https://ict.moscow/en/news/online-english-school-for-children-novakid-raised-4-25-million/" target="_blank">raised</a> $4.25 million</li>
</ul>

<hr />
<h2>
    ANALYTICS AND INSIGHTS
</h2>

    <p>
    <i>researches, monitorings, reports and other analytics of Moscow and Russian IT market</i>
</p>
<ul>
    <li><a href="https://ict.moscow/en/news/research-70-of-companies-using-ai-say-technology-is-effective/" target="_blank">Rostelecom &amp; Tadviser</a>: 70% of companies using AI say technology is effective →</li>
</ul>

<ul>
    <li><a href="https://ict.moscow/en/news/research-only-12-of-russian-companies-intend-to-cut-costs-on-iot/" target="_blank">Megafon</a>: only 12% of Russian companies intend to cut costs on IoT →</li>
</ul>

<ul>
    <li><a href="https://ict.moscow/en/research/hi-tech-crime-trends-2020-2021/" target="_blank">Group-IB</a>: the total potential damage of possible ransomware incidents, could exceed $1 billion →</li>
</ul>

<hr />
<h2>
    LONGREAD
</h2>

    <p>
    <a href="https://ict.moscow/en/news/maas-in-global/" target="_blank">The route is built: prospects for the development of MaaS in Moscow and other megacities of the world</a>
</p>
    <div>
        <a class="image_link" target="_blank" href="https://ict.moscow/en/news/maas-in-global/">
            <img alt="" data-openpopup="0"
                 src="https://ict.moscow/static/1200x/222463c9-3268-58c6-b711-29b513a60c20.png">
        </a>
    </div>

    <p>
    At the beginning of November Moscow authorities announced plans to launch a MaaS-platform (Mobility-as-a-Service, “mobility as a service”) in the city; it will combine all city and several private transport services. By the end of 2021, the concept of multimodality will be implemented, which means that types of transport will be combined in a single digital space, and routes and fares will be personalised for users.
</p>
    <p>
    This ambition of Moscow corresponds to the global trend in the field of transport - gradual implementation of MaaS concept in the city. To understand the current state of things and the prospects for the development and application of MaaS in the world, ICT.Moscow studied the experience of the development of this concept by megacities of the world, and also discussed its key features and barriers with experts.
</p>
    <p>
    <a href="https://ict.moscow/en/news/maas-in-global/" target="_blank"><b>Read full article →</b></a>
</p>
<hr />
<h2>
    DIGITAL SOLUTIONS FROM MOSCOW
</h2>

    <p>
    <i>a showcase of some smart mobility solutions </i>
</p>
    <p>
    <a href="https://ict.moscow/en/card/mosgorpass/" target="_blank">Mosgorpass</a>
</p>
    <p>
    Moscow passenger mobile application
</p>
    <p>
    <a href="https://ict.moscow/en/card/metro-moskvy/" target="_blank">MosMetro</a>
</p>
    <p>
    Moscow Metro mobile application
</p>
    <p>
    <a href="https://ict.moscow/en/card/parkovki-moskvy/" target="_blank">Moscow parking</a>
</p>
    <p>
    Application for finding and paying for parking
</p>
    <p>
    <a href="https://ict.moscow/en/cards/?tags=transportation" target="_blank"><b>More solutions  →</b></a>
</p>
<hr />
<h2>
    KEY ACTORS IN IT
</h2>

    <p>
    <i>discover people who stand behind the innovative companies and projects in Moscow</i>
</p>
    <p>
    <b>Lev Khasis</b>, First Deputy Chairman of the Executive Board of Sberbank | <a href="https://www.facebook.com/lev.khasis" target="_blank">Facebook</a> | <a href="https://ru.linkedin.com/in/lev-khasis-73387429" target="_blank">LinkedIn </a>
</p>
    <p>
    <b>Vladislav Belyaev</b>, Co-founder & CEO of <a href="https://www.facebook.com/autofaqai/" target="_blank">Autofaq.ai</a> | <a href="https://www.facebook.com/vbelyaev89" target="_blank">Facebook</a> | <a href="https://ru.linkedin.com/in/vlbelyaev" target="_blank">LinkedIn</a>
</p>
    <p>
    <b>Adam Turaev</b>, Strategy Director at Cleverbots | <a href="https://www.facebook.com/adam.turaev.3" target="_blank">Facebook</a> | <a href="https://ru.linkedin.com/in/adamturaev" target="_blank">LinkedIn</a>
</p>
    <p>
    <b>Anatoly Karachinsky</b>, President and CEO of IBS Group, Founder of City Farmer | <a href="https://www.facebook.com/anatoly.karachinsky" target="_blank">Facebook</a>
</p>
    <p>
    <b>Maxim Azarov</b>, CEO of NovaKid | <a href="https://www.facebook.com/vwpanther" target="_blank">Facebook</a> | <a href="https://pl.linkedin.com/in/mazarov" target="_blank">LinkedIn</a> | <a href="https://www.crunchbase.com/person/maxim-azarov" target="_blank">Crunchbase</a>
</p>
<hr />
    <p>
    <a href="https://ict.moscow/en/news/?filterCategory=Tech-in-Moscow" target="_blank">Previous Tech in Moscow newsletters</a>
</p>

Tech in Moscow #16 (30 November - 6 December 2020)

    <p>
    Sberbank plans to open an international institute of artificial intelligence in Russia. The plans to open such an institute in January 2021 were announced by the head of Sberbank German Gref on the first day of the AI ​​Journey conference. According to him, the main mission of the institute is to provide an interdisciplinary approach to research to create general artificial intelligence.
</p>
    <p>
    A German scientist based in Switzerland, one of the world's most famous specialists in the field of artificial intelligence, Jürgen Schmidhuber, was invited to become an Honorary Director of Science of the Institute. 
</p>
    <p>
    At the first stage, the institute will be academic, that is, focused on the symbiosis of fundamental research and their orientation towards applied areas of activity.
</p>
    <p>
    <a target="_blank" href="https://ict.moscow/news/sberbank-planiruet-otkryt-v-rossii-mezhdunarodnyi-institut-iskusstvennogo-intellekta/">Original (in Russian)</a>
</p>

Sberbank plans to open an international Institute of artificial intelligence in Russia

    <p>
    Despite the global economic crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, only 12% of Russian companies using IoT technologies intend to reduce their IoT costs. Such conclusions were made by MegaFon in the study "IoT index in Russia", which was conducted jointly with the Kantar marketing agency.
</p>
    <p>
    The study involved 780 large, medium and small businesses from different industries. According to the report, organisations using IoT solutions most often cite the benefits obtained as cost reduction (41%), efficient data collection (41%) and workforce optimisation (40%).
</p>
    <p>
    Andrey Kolesnikov, chairman of the Association of the Internet of Things (AIV), believes that only capital-intensive companies have decided to cut costs on IoT. According to him, we can talk about systemic projects requiring serious capital investments. The growth of the Russian IoT market in the future 4-5 years will be in the range of 6-9% per year, the expert predicts.
</p>
    <p>
    <a target="_blank" href="https://ict.moscow/news/issledovanie-tolko-12-rossiiskikh-kompanii-namereny-sokratit-raskhody-na-iot/">Original (in Russian)</a>
</p>
    <p>
    
</p>
    <p>
    
</p>

ComNews

Research: only 12% of Russian companies intend to cut costs on IoT

    <p>
    Rostelecom and the TAdviser analytical center studied the effects of implementing solutions based on artificial intelligence (AI) in Russian companies.According to experts, 70% of companies that use or pilot AI technologies in 2020 are already receiving financial benefits. The cumulative effect from the introduction of the technology in 2019 for 62 organisations amounted to 60 billion rubles. More than 90% of respondents expect the financial results to be maintained or increased from AI solutions at the end of 2020.
</p>
    <p>
    In general, artificial intelligence technologies are already being implemented or tested in 85% of companies. First of all, solutions using such technologies are used to optimise internal business processes.
</p>
    <p>
    Chatbots, personalised offering and speech analytics are the most commonly used solutions in the mainstream (B2C) segment. The B2B segment primarily uses predictive maintenance technologies, decision assistants for production operators and unmanned vehicles, including aircraft.The study involved 100 Russian companies from key industries.<a target="_blank" href="https://ict.moscow/research/effekty-ot-vnedreniia-reshenii-na-baze-iskusstvennogo-intellekta-v-rossiiskikh-kompaniiakh/">Effects of implementing solutions based on artificial intelligence in Russian companies research (in Russian)</a>
</p>
    <p>
    <a target="_blank" href="https://ict.moscow/news/issledovanie-70-kompanii-primeniaiushchikh-ii-otmechaiut-effektivnost-tekhnologii/">Original (in Russian)</a>
</p>

Rostelecom

Research: 70% of companies using AI say technology is effective

    <p>
    RBS-100 base station of the 4th generation (communication standard is LTE 1800) developed by “Tenet” (Kazan), was launched in the MTS network. This is the first device of its kind in Russia, which operates under the control of Russian software and is suitable for commercial use, Vedomosti writes citing the representatives of both companies.
</p>
    <p>
    Alexey Alekhin, the head of the project at Tenet, explains that the base station software were produced in Russia, and the components were imported. In the future, when the Russian components are produced and there are requests from the market and business, they can be integrated into this equipment.
</p>
    <p>
    MTS has not yet spoken about the price of the devices, and the company notes that the question about further purchases of Tenet equipment will be discussed after testing the first commercial station.
</p>
    <p>
    At the end of October, a working prototype of a base station for 5G and 4G (LTE) was presented by Skoltech. The station also uses domestically produced software and imported hardware platform. The prototype was assembled and launched jointly with MTS, it operates in the frequency range of 4.9-4.99 GHz on the territory of Skolkovo. In 2021 the full-scale testing of the equipment will begin in Skolkovo 5G experimental zone, and its series production will start at the facilities of Novosibirsk company Eltex by the end of 2022.
</p>
    <p>
    In September, the prototype of the 5G base station was presented by Rostec. It will operate in accordance with international standards and will be compatible with the equipment of any manufacturer supporting the standards. However, it is not specified when the series production of the device will begin.
</p>
    <p>
    <a target="_blank" href="https://ict.moscow/news/mts-zapustila-na-svoei-seti-rossiiskuiu-bazovuiu-stantsiiu/">Original (in Russian)</a>
</p>
    <p>
    
</p>

Vedomosti

MTS launched a Russian base station in its network

    <p>
    MTS signed an agreement with Polymetal Group (one of the largest producers of gold and silver in the world) for the construction of the first 5G-ready private network in Russia.
</p>
    <p>
    The dedicated network will use Ericsson solutions. During the first stage it will work in LTE standard with the possibility of quick transition to 5G. The network will be deployed at the Nezhdaninskoye gold deposit in the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia).
</p>
    <p>
    An internal IP-telephony network, mobile devices of employees, the systems of mining dispatching, positioning and systems of remote and automated control of various objects (excavators, drilling rigs, fire extinguishing systems and video monitoring, etc.) will be integrated into the wireless data transmission network that will be deployed by MTS. The solution will not only optimize production processes, but also increase the level of industrial safety.
</p>
<hr />
    <p>
    Earlier, MTS and Ericsson <a target="_blank" href="https://ict.moscow/en/news/mts-and-ericsson-deployed-a-dedicated-5g-ready-network-for-the-oil-industry/">deployed</a> a 5G-ready dedicated network for the oil industry, the customer was Gazprom Neft.
</p>
    <p>
    <a target="_blank" href="https://ict.moscow/news/mts-i-ericsson-postroiat-dlia-zolotodobyvaiushchei-kompanii-pervuiu-v-rossii-vydelennuiu-kommercheskuiu-5g-ready-set/">Original (in Russian)</a>
</p>
    <p>
    
</p>

MTS and Ericsson will build a commercial 5G-ready dedicated network for a gold mining company

    <p>
    The government commission on digital development, the use of information technologies for improving the quality of life and the conditions of doing business approved the “Mobile networks of the fifth generation” roadmap at a meeting of the Presidium.
</p>
    <p>
    According to Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Chernyshenko, the roadmap includes the principle of import substitution. “We believe that this will accelerate the Russian industry and contribute to its technological growth. Achieving the quality and competitiveness of domestic solutions with international counterparts is an ambitious objective, but it is realistic”, - Chernyshenko explained.
</p>
    <p>
    According to the roadmap developed by Rostec and Rostelecom, the development of 5G until 2024 will <a target="_blank" href="https://ict.moscow/en/news/2-6-billion-will-be-allocated-for-the-development-of-5g-in-russia/">cost</a> $2.6 billion. By 2024, 5G networks using domestic equipment are expected to be deployed in at least ten million-plus cities.
</p>
    <p>
    <a target="_blank" href="https://ict.moscow/news/v-kabmine-utverdili-dorozhnuiu-kartu-razvitiia-mobilnykh-setei-sviazi-piatogo-pokoleniia/">Original (in Russian)</a>
</p>
    <p>
    
</p>

The Cabinet of Ministers of Russia approved the roadmap for the development of “Mobile networks of the fifth generation”

    <p>
    According to TMT Consulting estimates, the penetration of BBA services in the Moscow market in the third quarter in the B2C segment exceeded 89%. The number of subscribers approached 4.4 million. Analysts estimated the value of the market of Moscow at more than 4.3 billion rubles, ComNews writes.
</p>
    <p>
    The number of BBA subscribers in the B2C segment in Russia during this period approached 34.2 million, the service penetration in the country exceeded 61%. The market value amounted to 36.4 billion rubles. The number of BBA subscribers increased by 0.7% - by more than 230 thousand subscribers compared to the second quarter of this year. Revenue growth was 1%.
</p>
    <p>
    The top 5 Internet providers accounted for 71% of the subscriber base at the end of the quarter.
</p>
    <p>
    MTS became the leader in terms of BBA subscribers growth. The number of MTS subscribers increased by 99 thousand, or by 2.7%. The company’s converged offerings remain the main driver of growth. Beeline took the second place in terms of subscriber base growth - the number of the operator’s customers increased by 85 thousand, or by 3.2%. Analysts attribute the growth to the expansion of the company’s network capacity and coverage in megacities during the implementation of a large-scale program aimed at modernizing the operator’s broadband network.
</p>
    <p>
    <a target="_blank" href="https://ict.moscow/news/issledovanie-proniknovenie-uslug-shpd-v-b2c-segmente-na-moskovskom-rynke-prevysilo-89/">Original (in Russian)</a>
</p>

Research: penetration of BBA services in the B2C segment in the Moscow market exceeded 89%

    <p>
    Russian experts discussed 5G development trends of the Russian market and the improvement of communications infrastructure for the implementation of 5G networks during <a target="_blank" href="https://www.gsmathrive.com/eurasia">GSMA Thrive Eurasia</a> conference held on November 11-12. ICT.Moscow has collected the key points of this discussion in one article.
</p>
<div class="incut-block incut-block-text-small-size">
            <p>According to <a target="_blank" href="https://ict.moscow/research/mobilnaia-ekonomika-rossiia-i-sng-2020/">GSMA</a> forecasts, by 2025 there will be more than 50 million 5G connections in the CIS region, or 13% of the total number of connections. The investments of operators in infrastructure deployment until 2025 are estimated at $25 billion, 57%  of which will be focused on 5G.</p>
    </div>
    <p>
    
</p>
<h2>
    5G is shaping trends<a class="ce-block__copy-anchor-btn"></a><a class="ce-block__copy-anchor-btn"></a><a class="ce-block__copy-anchor-btn"></a><a class="ce-block__copy-anchor-btn"></a><a class="ce-block__copy-anchor-btn"></a><a class="ce-block__copy-anchor-btn"></a><a class="ce-block__copy-anchor-btn"></a><a class="ce-block__copy-anchor-btn"></a><a class="ce-block__copy-anchor-btn"></a><a class="ce-block__copy-anchor-btn"></a><a class="ce-block__copy-anchor-btn"></a><a class="ce-block__copy-anchor-btn"></a>
</h2>

    <p>
    During his speech at The Next Stage for Technology opening section, MTS President Alexey Kornya specified several trends which emerged due to a new technological rearrangement - the transition to 5G networks. According to the expert, in the future 5G technologies will have an increasing impact on the development of the country’s economy as a whole, and any lag will lead to a lag in the overall technological development. “2G, 3G, 4G are about the consumer segment, and the transition to 5G and the new rearrangement will have a greater impact on the economy and industry”, - Kornya said.
</p>
    <p>
    The second challenge which the expert mentioned was the chains that appeared with the emergence of 5G and the new technological wave. “From the state to the corporations, there is a completely different level of security and requirements for localization. That is why technologies based on open architecture and open source are becoming more important”, - Kornya explained. The third element concerns the Internet of Things.
</p>
<div class="incut-block ">
                        <p class="quote-icon">
                    The main consumers will be not people, but devices. These are hundreds of billions of devices in our market alone. All of these things are based on 5G communications. It is much broader than just a communication technology. A huge number of technologies are emerging alongside 5G, but all of them are closely connected, and the speed at which these technologies are deployed is important.
        </p>
        <div class="quote-owner">
                    <div class="quote-owner__logo">
                <img alt="Alexey Kornya" src="https://ict.moscow/static/80247a32-2436-56f9-968d-b38325bbf235.png">
            </div >
                <div>
            <p class="quote-owner__title">
                                    <a href="https://www.crunchbase.com/person/alexey-kornya" target="_blank">
                                    Alexey Kornya
                                    </a>
                            </p>
                            <p class="quote-owner__description">MTS President</p>
                    </div>
    </div>
</div>
    <p>
    New requirements for ethical and responsible business conduct are the fourth area that emerges with the new technological wave. It concerns both security of personal data and security of the services offered, Kornya noted. Gevork Vermishyan, CEO of Megafon, also agreed with the expert and also specified another couple of emerging trends: robotization, which is actively developing in business processes, and Cloud RAN Edge.
</p>
<div class="incut-block ">
                        <p class="quote-icon">
                    Base stations on tubular masts and roof constructions will be only radio-based: there will only be antennas and a base station controller, and all the computing power will be stored in data centers. This trend will come. This will allow to quickly deploy light RAN solutions, and heavy computing will be done in data centers. This will require significant investments in transport, because the base station will have to be connected to data control centers with optical fiber. There will be a great need for data centers and racks.
        </p>
                        <p>
                    
        </p>
        <div class="quote-owner">
                    <div class="quote-owner__logo">
                <img alt="Gevork Vermishyan" src="https://ict.moscow/static/2b8d15ab-0771-5890-b033-98a5135a50b2.jpg">
            </div >
                <div>
            <p class="quote-owner__title">
                                    Gevork Vermishyan
                            </p>
                            <p class="quote-owner__description">CEO of Megafon</p>
                    </div>
    </div>
</div>
    <p>
    Edge Cloud will indeed be one of the main challenges, agrees Alexey Kornya from MTS.
</p>
<div class="incut-block ">
                        <p class="quote-icon">
                    For Internet players it is becoming a big challenge how to further implement solutions, as they are developing in Edge. Edge Cloud is one of the key challenges. Either telecom will become the driver, or Internet players will invest in infrastructure, bringing their infrastructure closer to the client. Cloud technologies and their development in Russia are still at an early stage. This is one of the highest potentials.
        </p>
        <div class="quote-owner">
                    <div class="quote-owner__logo">
                <img alt="Alexey Kornya" src="https://ict.moscow/static/b05f65b7-e07b-5aa2-b0d8-c5feae9f5794.png">
            </div >
                <div>
            <p class="quote-owner__title">
                                    <a href="https://www.crunchbase.com/person/alexey-kornya" target="_blank">
                                    Alexey Kornya
                                    </a>
                            </p>
                            <p class="quote-owner__description">MTS President</p>
                    </div>
    </div>
</div>
    <p>
    Gevork Vermishyan from Megafon also mentioned the state’s trend towards localization.
</p>
<div class="incut-block ">
                        <p class="quote-icon">
                    One of the trends in our state, and I support it, is the localization of 5G equipment. And there is a principle, according to which regulatory restrictions on the products of international vendors will stimulate the development of our own technologies. It is quite possible that we will be ready to buy and test local equipment and base stations made in Russia. But, of course, considering our long-standing reputation, we will do this under two conditions. The first is economic conditions. The second is the quality characteristics.
        </p>
        <div class="quote-owner">
                    <div class="quote-owner__logo">
                <img alt="Gevork Vermishyan" src="https://ict.moscow/static/47d65114-f809-5685-ac0e-bdd3633dce9c.jpg">
            </div >
                <div>
            <p class="quote-owner__title">
                                    Gevork Vermishyan
                            </p>
                            <p class="quote-owner__description">CEO of Megafon</p>
                    </div>
    </div>
</div>
    <p>
    The representative of another telecom operator, Beeline, Valery Shorzhin, Executive Vice-President for Technological Development, speaking at Building the Future section, highlighted the need to simplify access to infrastructure and outlined new opportunities for 5G communication.
</p>
<div class="incut-block ">
                        <p class="quote-icon">
                    If we are talking about 5G, we cannot speak only about a new radio access technology. It is more than that. It is a network built on the Cloud architecture, which (from the consumer’s perspective) provides an opportunity to adapt networks to a specific consumer, slicing and other technological innovations. On the other hand, we, as operators, count on the new categories of consumers that do not exist now.
        </p>
                        <p>
                    
        </p>
        <div class="quote-owner">
                    <div class="quote-owner__logo">
                <img alt="Valery Shorzhin" src="https://ict.moscow/static/28b949cb-8ed5-56f3-b627-d0f25033357c.jpg">
            </div >
                <div>
            <p class="quote-owner__title">
                                    Valery Shorzhin
                            </p>
                            <p class="quote-owner__description">Executive Vice-President for Technological Development, Beeline</p>
                    </div>
    </div>
</div>
<h2>
    5G affects aesthetics<a class="ce-block__copy-anchor-btn"></a><a class="ce-block__copy-anchor-btn"></a>
</h2>

    <p>
    5G communications will also have a significant impact on the appearance of Moscow. For about a year and a half Moscow IT department has been working on urban communication aesthetics. According to the Adviser of Deputy Director of the Department of Information Technologies of Moscow Evgeny Novikov, a lot has been achieved during this period.
</p>
<div class="incut-block incut-block-text-small-size">
            <p>Currently the city has about 90 thousand base stations of all standards. After the introduction of 5G networks this number will increase by 3-5 times.</p>
    </div>
<div class="incut-block ">
                        <p class="quote-icon">
                    In particular, a competition was held and a concept for the deployment of communication infrastructure was developed, and the working groups were formed. The concept is aimed at preserving the image of the city while developing the communications infrastructure.
        </p>
                        <p>
                    
        </p>
                        <p>
                    The developed concept includes several key principles. The first is to minimize costs for telecom operators. It is important to take into account CapEx, the requirements for modernization and restructuring of equipment. The second principle is a phased implementation. We took into account the experience of other cities and developed the rules for the implementation of the concept, bearing in mind a phased transition. The provisions of the document may be adjusted. And the third principle is to preserve the quality of communication that is now available in Moscow.
        </p>
                        <p>
                    
        </p>
                        <p>
                    
        </p>
        <div class="quote-owner">
                    <div class="quote-owner__logo">
                <img alt="Evgeny Novikov" src="https://ict.moscow/static/ede04b0f-3dfc-5d94-9bd4-858f80d5f61a.jpeg">
            </div >
                <div>
            <p class="quote-owner__title">
                                    <a href="https://www.facebook.com/evgeny.novikov.142" target="_blank">
                                    Evgeny Novikov
                                    </a>
                            </p>
                            <p class="quote-owner__description">Adviser of Deputy Director of the Department of Information Technologies of Moscow</p>
                    </div>
    </div>
</div>
    <p>
    The expert also said that the concept included classification of requirements for communication equipment. “There are base stations that do not need any changes and those that need minimal adjustment. And only 10-15% of stations that telecom operators and infrastructure companies will need to improve”, - explained Evgeny Novikov. According to the expert, the zones where the communication object is located in the city (cultural heritage object, bedroom suburb, other zones), and buildings on which or close to which the communication object is located (historical and non-historical) will be taken into account.
</p>
    <p>
    The changes will include both the reduction in the size of the equipment, the unloading of antenna-mast structures, dual-purpose poles and their location adjustment, and also camouflaging. In addition, equipment marking is also provided, it will contribute to making managerial decisions in the development of communications in Moscow, the representative of the IT department explains.
</p>
<div class="incut-block ">
                        <p class="quote-icon">
                    Currently the normative legal acts elaboration is in progress. In the near future we plan to determine pilot zones. By the end of next year we will begin to implement the concept on an industrial scale.
        </p>
        <div class="quote-owner">
                    <div class="quote-owner__logo">
                <img alt="Evgeny Novikov" src="https://ict.moscow/static/5ad39605-9c13-51b9-9bb8-d9eead33aa7e.jpeg">
            </div >
                <div>
            <p class="quote-owner__title">
                                    <a href="https://www.facebook.com/evgeny.novikov.142" target="_blank">
                                    Evgeny Novikov
                                    </a>
                            </p>
                            <p class="quote-owner__description">Adviser of Deputy Director of the Department of Information Technologies of Moscow</p>
                    </div>
    </div>
</div>
<h2>
    Other preparations for the launch of 5G in the megacity<a class="ce-block__copy-anchor-btn"></a><a class="ce-block__copy-anchor-btn"></a><a class="ce-block__copy-anchor-btn"></a><a class="ce-block__copy-anchor-btn"></a><a class="ce-block__copy-anchor-btn"></a><a class="ce-block__copy-anchor-btn"></a><a class="ce-block__copy-anchor-btn"></a><a class="ce-block__copy-anchor-btn"></a><a class="ce-block__copy-anchor-btn"></a><a class="ce-block__copy-anchor-btn"></a><a class="ce-block__copy-anchor-btn"></a><a class="ce-block__copy-anchor-btn"></a>
</h2>

    <p>
    Moscow is interested in the development of 5G networks. Some time ago, work was initiated to assess the security of fifth generation networks. This was discussed on the second day of the conference.
</p>
<div class="incut-block incut-block-text-small-size">
            <p>According to&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.gsma.com/newsroom/all-documents/achieving-russias-5g-goals">GSMA</a>&nbsp;estimates, 5G will account for about 20% of connections in Russia by 2025. This figure would be much higher if the state adopted international safety rules for the radio frequency spectrum, analysts say.</p>
    </div>
<div>
    <img alt="" data-openpopup="0"
         src="https://ict.moscow/static/1200x/afc26c8a-baf2-5037-9604-0c9a726e5bc3.png">
</div>
    <p class="grayText">
        Source: GSMA
    </p>

    <p>
    According to Tatiana Sedykh, a representative of the DIT of Moscow, the work in this area takes place in three stages and involves the collection and analysis of data, the creation of laboratory facilities and conducting research.
</p>
    <p>
    According to the expert, at the first two stages a comparative analysis was carried out to assess the levels of electromagnetic fields created by existing and future mobile telephone communication systems in places of residence of the population in six Moscow microdistricts. Moreover, laboratory measurements were carried out, requirements for the laboratory base for research were developed and the research program was developed. Now, during the third stage, full-scale measurements of electromagnetic fields are being carried out, mathematical models of exposure conditions are being developed, and data analysis is being conducted, the representative of the DIT of Moscow explained.
</p>
<div class="incut-block ">
                        <p class="quote-icon">
                    The laboratory facility created during the second stage consists of a complete set of equipment: 2G, 3G, 4G and, of course, 5G. Independent experts have confirmed the readiness of our laboratory base for studying 5G security. Now we are at the third stage and plan to get results already in the first quarter of 2021.
        </p>
        <div class="quote-owner">
                    <div class="quote-owner__logo">
                <img alt="Tatiana Sedykh" src="https://ict.moscow/static/30fc5d6e-e207-50ac-b0af-0eed89c2b9b0.png">
            </div >
                <div>
            <p class="quote-owner__title">
                                    Tatiana Sedykh
                            </p>
                            <p class="quote-owner__description">The Department of Information Technologies of Moscow</p>
                    </div>
    </div>
</div>
    <p>
    During the discussion, which took place in the 5G electromagnetic fields and Health section, representatives of telecom companies also complained about the difficult and lengthy process of obtaining permits for the deployment of new base stations.
</p>
<div class="incut-block ">
                        <p class="quote-icon">
                    The process is logical and understandable - documents will be received consistently. But at each stage we face a situation that requires additional study, additional approvals, recalculations. This is a large analytical work aimed at obtaining the optimal solution for the deployment of the base station. We must take into account both the development of networks and the quality of communication and at the same time not violate the requirements of sanitary rules. [...] In general, it takes from six months to a year to put a base station on the air.
        </p>
        <div class="quote-owner">
                <div>
            <p class="quote-owner__title">
                                    Anna Tarasenko
                            </p>
                            <p class="quote-owner__description">MTS</p>
                    </div>
    </div>
</div>
    <p>
    The DIT of Moscow is aware of the situation, Sedykh explains. Therefore, the department plans to create an automated system for coordinating the functioning of transmitting radio engineering objects in Moscow. According to the expert, this will help to improve the process of collecting, storing and processing information of telecom equipment deployed on the territory of Moscow. “The system will simplify the information interaction for the process participants and reduce the time needed to search for and provide the necessary information. It will resemble submitting an application electronically via mos.ru”, - the representative of the DIT of Moscow explained.
</p>
    <p>
    <a target="_blank" href="https://ict.moscow/news/gsma-thrive-eurasia-trendy-i-razvitie-infrastruktury-sviazi-dlia-5g/">Original (in Russian)</a>
</p>
<hr />
    <p>
    
</p>

ICT.Moscow highlights the discussion during the conference

GSMA Thrive Eurasia: trends and development of communications infrastructure for 5G in Russia

    <p>
    Apple Rus, acting in the interests of Apple, claims in Russia for frequency bands in the range of 6.2-8.2 GHz, writes "Vedomosti" with reference to materials for the meeting of the State Commission on Radio Frequencies (SCRF).
</p>
    <p>
    According to the publication, frequencies are allocated to test the electromagnetic compatibility of ultra-wideband short-range wireless devices with other radio equipment. The allocation of bands for Apple is to be approved at the GKRCH meeting on November 23. The permit will be valid until October 1, 2021.
</p>
    <p>
    As a specialist familiar with the company's plans explained to Vedomosti, the matter concerns the tests of the Ultra Wide Band (UWB) technology, which is supported by the iPhone 11, released by Apple in 2019, and the iPhone 12. According to the developer's plan, this technology will eventually replace Bluetooth. UWB allows you to achieve faster data rates, as well as triple the distance over which devices can communicate.
</p>
    <p>
    UWB allows you to "point" (without entering a password, as is the case with Bluetooth) to transfer data to nearby devices. Apple is currently the only company promoting UWB. Other manufacturers are watching what it does: if the technology proves to be effective, then over time it can really replace Bluetooth, Telecom Daily CEO Denis Kuskov says.
</p>
    <p>
    Experts note that the legalization of UWB in Russia is more of a groundwork for the future. In their opinion, UWB has certain prospects in the market due to its low power consumption and high accuracy of geolocation determination.
</p>
    <p>
    Apple tried to legalise UWB in Russia last year and submitted an application to the State Committee for Radio Frequencies for the allocation of frequencies in the 6 GHz range. However, then it was refused, since the ranges overlap with those in which radars operate in Russia.
</p>
    <p>
    <a target="_blank" href="https://ict.moscow/news/eppl-rus-pretenduet-v-rossii-na-polosy-chastot-v-diapazone-6-2-8-2-ggts/">Original (in Russian)</a>
</p>

Apple Rus claims in Russia for frequency bands in the range of 6.2-8.2 GHz

    <p>
    Rostelecom announced the signing of legally binding agreements to acquire LLC Lukoil-inform, which represents the telecom business of the Lukoil group.
</p>
    <p>
    "The structure of the transaction involves the acquisition of 50.1% of the shares at the time of the transaction, and also provides for the possibility of the buyer and seller selling call / put options, respectively, for the remaining 49.9% of the shares in 2023," the operator said in a statement.
</p>
    <p>
    The transaction amount will be at least 2 billion rubles ($25,9 million). Lukoil will maintain the volume of existing contracts for telecommunications and IT services with Lukoil-inform for the next 5 years.
</p>
    <p>
    The deal will strengthen Rostelecom's position in the B2B segment, create a center of excellence for digital development of oil and gas companies and provide an opportunity for additional sales of Rostelecom's digital services.
</p>
    <p>
    <a target="_blank" href="https://ict.moscow/news/rostelekom-pokupaet-telekommunikatsionnyi-biznes-lukoila/">Original (in Russian)</a>
</p>

Rostelecom buys telecommunications business of Lukoil

    <p>
    <br>
</p>
    <p>
    According to iKS-Consulting estimates, Moscow accounts for 70% of the total number of rack spaces located in Russian commercial data centers. At the end of 2019, this figure increased to 72%, as the growth rate of Moscow data centers exceeded the growth rate of the market as a whole.
</p>
    <p>
    In 2019 the number of rack spaces intended for commercial operation in Russia increased by 12.3% compared to 2018 - from 39.3 thousand to 44.1 thousand. At the end of 2019, the leaders in terms of rack growth were MTS Avantage data center, IXcellerate and Rostelecom DPC.
</p>
    <p>
    The revenues of Russian data center service providers in 2019 reached $451,3 million, which is 27.8% higher than in 2018 ($368,6 million). Market growth rates by the end of 2020 may decline to 10%. In 2021-2023 the market is expected to grow at the level of 21-25%.
</p>
    <p>
    <a href="https://ict.moscow/news/issledovanie-na-moskvu-prikhoditsia-70-stoiko-mest-v-kommercheskikh-data-tsentrakh/" target="_blank">Original (in Russian)</a>
</p>

iKS-Consulting: 70% of rack spaces in commercial data centers are located in Moscow

    <p>
    <br><b></b>Ericsson has deployed Russia’s first 5G standalone network at its 5G
Innovation Hub in Moscow.
</p>
    <p>
    The network supports 2100 MHz, 1800 MHz and 3500 MHz frequency bands,
and in the future it will also support the millimeter wave bands. The network
supports Ericsson Spectrum Sharing technology. A test terminal based on
Qualcomm Snapdragon X55 5G Modem-RF System is used as subscriber equipment.
</p>
    <p>
    Based on the end-to-end (e2e) 5G SA network the companies will be able
to test solutions and use cases for 5G technologies in various fields,
including smart cities, industry, self-driving vehicles, telemedicine,
agriculture and virtual reality, the company claims in a press release.
</p>
    <p>
    In 5G networks standalone architecture, NR base stations are directly
connected to the core of the next generation network (NGCore). Compared to
Non-Standalone (NSA), 5G Standalone (SA) demonstrates advantages in UL
bandwidth, e2e latency, and edge computing.
</p>
    <p>
    <a target="_blank" href="https://ict.moscow/news/ericsson-razvernul-v-moskve-5g-set-s-avtonomnoi-arkhitekturoi/">Original (in Russian)</a>
</p>

Ericsson

Ericsson deployed a 5G standalone network in Moscow

    <p>
    <br>According to
the estimates of the GSM Association (GSMA), the Russian telecom operators’
expenditures in 2023-2030 for the deployment of 5G networks will be 84% higher
compared to the option in which 3.5 GHz gold band would be used for 5G communications,
Kommersant reports. In Russia operators are offered 4.8-4.99 GHz spectrum.
</p>
    <p>
    According to analysts,
by 2025 5G will account for about 43 million connections in Russia. In terms of
these indicators, Russia will approach the world average, but will lag behind
the leading markets.
</p>
    <p>
    Also by 2025 5G
will contribute more than $5.2 billion to the domestic economy, which is
equivalent to a 0.3% increase in GDP, and over the period 2022–2030 the Russian
economy will gain in total $60 billion from 5G.
</p>
    <p>
    The GSMA
recommends using licensed shared access if it is impossible to free up the 3.5
GHz band.
</p>
    <p>
    GSMA research “5G in Russia: the impact of spectrum on
development prospects”
</p>
    <p>
    <a target="_blank" href="https://data.gsmaintelligence.com/research/research/research-2020/how-spectrum-will-shape-the-outlook-for-5g-in-russia">Read research</a>
</p>
    <p>
    <a target="_blank" href="https://ict.moscow/news/gsma-stroitelstvo-setei-5g-mozhet-oboitis-na-84-dorozhe-iz-za-menee-podkhodiashchego-diapazona-chastot/">Original (in Russian)&nbsp;</a> &nbsp;
</p>

GSMA: building 5G networks could cost 84% more due to less suitable frequency band

    <p>
    The decision on the 5G network deployment has been made. This was stated by Maksut Shadayev, Minister of Digital Development during the ‘government hour’ in the Federation Council.
</p>
<div class="incut-block ">
                        <p class="quote-icon">
                    Now I can confirm with satisfaction that we have reached an agreed solution with the Ministry of Defence and other bodies: we have received frequencies that can be used for the 5G network deployment. We have prepared a plan for converting the spectrum in order to move the military communications to the other bands. [...] And most importantly, a political decision was made that all equipment that would be used to create 5G would be of domestic production. The necessary funds will be allocated for this work.
        </p>
        <div class="quote-owner">
                    <div class="quote-owner__logo">
                <img alt="Maksut Shadayev" src="https://ict.moscow/static/fe8a1340-99ba-525c-b38a-c9e04b78e3f5.jpeg">
            </div >
                <div>
            <p class="quote-owner__title">
                                    <a href="&lt;a href=&quot;https://www.facebook.com/m.shadaev&quot;&gt;https://www.facebook.com/m.shadaev&lt;/a&gt;" target="_blank">
                                    Maksut Shadayev
                                    </a>
                            </p>
                            <p class="quote-owner__description">Minister of Digital Development, Communications and Mass Media of the Russian Federation</p>
                    </div>
    </div>
</div>
    <p>
    <a target="_blank" href="https://ict.moscow/news/shadaev-seti-5g-v-rossii-budut-stroitsia-tolko-na-otechestvennom-oborudovanii/">Original (in Russian)</a>
</p>

REGNUM

5G networks in Russia will be built using only domestic equipment

    <p>
    MTS announced the
sale of 100% of the system integrator NVision Group to its largest shareholder,
Sistema
PJSFC. The value of the deal is 401
million rubles. But the final value may be
adjusted depending on the revised financial results as of the date of deal closure, the operator stated in a press release.
</p>
    <p>
    MTS sells NVision
Group’s systems integration assets, excluding those used in the development of the MTS’s product portfolio. MTS will also retain the FORIS BSS/OSS billing system that was earlier an asset of NVision Group.
</p>
    <p>
    The mobile
operator acquired NVision Group from Sistema in 2015. Initially, it was
reported that the company would cost the operator up to 15 billion rubles.
However, MTS later indicated that it had paid 11.2 billion rubles for the asset.
</p>
    <p>
    According to the
representative of MTS <a target="_blank" href="https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100001788742697">Alexey Merkutov</a>, the
difference between the current valuation of
NVision Group and the amount that the operator paid for the company five years
ago is due to the fact that MTS retains a
billing system that allows invoicing for communication services to subscribers
and formed the basic value of the
asset in 2015. Merkutov noted that the main purpose of the NVision Group
acquisition had been the integration of its
own billing system into the MTS perimeter.
</p>
    <p>
    According to
Merkutov, the sale of the remaining part of NVision Group is due to the fact
that the company’s assets “are not related to the
formation of a product portfolio, require additional investments and are not considered a priority in terms of implementing the company’s strategy”.
</p>
    <p>
    <a target="_blank" href="https://ict.moscow/news/mts-prodaet-envizhn-grup/">Original (in Russian)</a>
</p>
    <p>
    
</p>

Market in Brief