Russian telco equipment imports: The Russian Government is in the process of drafting legislation that would limit the amount of foreign telecommunications equipment that federal, regional and municipal authorities can purchase, and which would require them to give preference to domestic analogue alternatives. According to sources quoted by Interfax, the issue was recently discussed by Deputy Prime Minister Arkady Dvorkovich, who instructed the Ministry of Communications and the Ministry of Industry to prepare draft regulation by 15 October.
It is also being reported that the state-run Rostelecom will also be instructed to give precedence to domestic equipment manufacturers during competitive bids and that measures are aimed at encouraging mobile operators to purchase Russian hardware and software, although there is a recognition that their domestic options are extremely limited.
Moscow prepares to limit Russian telco equipment imports
Russian Deputy Prime Minister Arkady Dvorkovich
Source: Rosbalt