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MegaFon Opens Mobile Data Network in Sochi

MegaFon, the official mobile operator for the Winter Olympic Games in Sochi, said it has opened its 3G network to other cell companies, enabling their...

Virtual World Bringing Real Money and Challenges to Russia

The achievements of the information technology and telecommunications sector in 2013 highlight the paradox of the government's efforts to wean the economy...

Rostec Boosts Stake in Mid-Sized Bank to Take Control

State-owned technology corporation Rostec will increase its share in Novikombank to assume control of the lender by the middle of next year, the company...

Russia's Black Friday Likely to Break Records

The Russian calendar is consistent in its delay versus the American one, even for e-commerce bonanzas, with the local version of Black Friday taking...

Yota Launches Double-Sided Russian Smartphone Across Europe

Russian technology firm Yota Devices launched the world's first dual-screen mobile phone on Wednesday, breathing fresh air into the fast-growing and competitive...

Mobile Number Portability Off to a Slow Start

The law that allows cell phone customers to change mobile service provider and keep their number went into effect this week, but mobile companies are...

Supercomputing Gap Seen as Threat to Economy

Russia is lagging five and a half years behind the U.S. in supercomputing technology and closing the gap is essential for the competitiveness of the...

As Rostelecom-Tele2 Merger Looms, State Frets Over Control

State-controlled telecoms giant Rostelecom plans to place its market-lagging mobile operation under the same roof as regional budget cellular provider...

Briton and 2 Girls Among Kazan Plane Crash Victims

A British woman was among the fifty people who died when a plane crashed while landing at Kazan International Airport in the republic of Tatarstan...

Beyond Rosatom, Local Civil Nuclear Industry Struggles

While state-owned nuclear giant Rosatom monopolizes government largesse, other nuclear enterprises are forced to sell technology overseas in order to fund...

High-Tech Ceramic Production Starts in Siberia

A factory producing nanostructured ceramics for orthopedics and dental implants, bulletproof armor and circuit boards opened its doors in Novosibirsk...

Soap Deceptions to be Exposed by New Product Testing Portal

A Russian product-testing startup, whose goal is to help consumers make educated decisions when buying household goods, has raised about $1 million and is...

Sberbank Plans To Double Profits and Shed 30,000 Employees

Sberbank is determined to double its profit and increase assets by two-fold between 2014 and 2018, by focusing on high profit products and optimizing...

Russian Tech Sector Reliant on U.S. Investors and Expertise

The only route to success for Russian technology firms is to launch an operation and find investors in U.S., an investment forum heard.

Olympic Training Puts Russia 31st in English Language Proficiency

Russia has achieved 31st place out of 60 countries in English proficiency, beating France and Italy, but falling behind Latvia and Ukraine on an index...

Technology Expert Sees Fear of Failure Inhibiting Russian Innovation

Despite its extraordinary scientific capacity, a stated desire to be competitive and the availability of capital, it may take several generations before...

Forum Shows Russian Ingredients of Innovation Recipe

Good infrastructure, a secure environment and exponentially increasing computer power guarantee the growth of innovative solutions to global problems...

Geography and Humility to Fuel Open Innovation Forum

Russia's straddling of Europe and Asia and its unpretentious approach to embracing all who strive to capitalize on new technology will make the Open...

Government Sees WTO Dividend One Year On

Membership in the World Trade Organization, or WTO, has increased Russia's overall economic competitiveness, Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev said Tuesday...

Russia Leads With New Internet Domains

Finding a restaurant in Moscow or protecting your Russian-speaking children from inappropriate information on the Internet could get easier soon thanks...

Russia Mollifies Text of U.S. Tax Evasion Agreement

Russia has removed references to a new American law that seeks to identify tax dodgers from a document on information sharing between the Finance...

Online Video Market Growing Along With Anti-Piracy Legislation

The online video market in Russia has seen double-digit growth despite the prevalence of pirated content, thanks in part to recent legislation protecting...

Putin Confronts Economy's Long-Term Flaws

The worst of the economic crisis is over and the economy is under control, but it is time to steer the economy back into growth mode, President Vladimir...

Minister Pushes Intensive Approach to Economic Salvation

Faced with a sputtering economy, the government must move quickly to increase transparency, reduce bureaucracy and implement structural reforms if it hopes...

Mobile Number Portability Passes Test

Mobile phone operators MegaFon and Tele2 have successfully tested the long-awaited mobile number portability, or MNP, service that will allow customers...

Amendments May Restrict Scope of Public Private Partnerships

Amendments to the draft Federal Law On Basics of Public Private Partnership to be considered by the State Duma this fall may limit private investors'...

Dagestan Partners Up with Silicon Valley

The technology incubator is a joint venture between Global Venture Alliance, Summa Group and U.S.-based Plug and Play.

Russia's Growth Ranking Low, Hopes High

A study on economic factors that stimulate growth that was released Thursday puts Russia in 43rd place out of 60 countries, showing no overall improvement...

EBRD, AEB to Launch Energy Efficiency Labels

New labels displaying energy efficiency information will start appearing on appliances and building materials sold in Russia by the end of the year...

Saxo Bank Chief Pessimistic on Euro Zone

The eurozone is doomed and its dysfunctional model has no chance of recovery with the euro in its current form, creating problems for Russia and other...

PayPal Starts Accepting Payments in Russian Currency

International online payment company PayPal officially launched its local currency service in Russia on Tuesday by introducing 13 large e-commerce companies...

Wage Growth Stagnant on High Inflation, Economic Slowdown

Moscow jobs pay 40 percent more compared to similar positions in regional centers, but wage growth has remained stagnant in the last five years across...

Leading IT Girls Take to the Catwalk

Women from leading IT companies changed their workstations for the catwalk on Friday, showcasing fashion gear from one of the leading online retailers...

Doughnut Fan Revels in 22 Hour Wait

While some people line up outside stores for the release of the new iPhone or other new gadget, others feel the same desire for doughnuts.

Alabuga Getting New Industrial Park

A St. Petersburg developer has become the first private company to agree to fund and build an industrial park facility at the Alabuga Special Economic...

Bayer Battling for Market Share on All Fronts

German chemicals giant Bayer will expand its presence in Russia by investing in agriculture and building materials markets with the goal of reaching...

Skoltech Launches Classes in Russia

The Skolkovo University of Science and Technology (Skoltech) launched classes in Moscow Monday, welcoming 45 new graduate students of different nationalities...

Duma Considers Mandatory Deportation for Illegal Immigrants

Migrants who violate conditions of stay in Russia will face deportation if a new bill submitted to the State Duma is adopted and signed into law...

'Dirty Poppy Invasion' Triggers Rise in Narcotics

Russia's top narcotics official on Wednesday expressed alarm over a "serious poppy invasion" of the country causing a major increase in illegal drugs...

RDIF Makes First Investment in IT

The Russian Direct Investment Fund, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development and the CapMan Russia II fund have signed an agreement to invest...

Plans to Abolish Roaming Scrapped

The Communications and Press Ministry has abandoned a proposal to remove national roaming, agreeing with mobile phone operators and analysts that...

Businesses Urge Mayoral Hopefuls to Pursue Laissez-Faire Policy

Small business representatives called for equality before the law and less interference from the government, sharing their concerns with Moscow mayoral...

Catalog Retailer Otto Grows Russian Business and Plans to Open Logistics Network to Third-Party Sellers

Otto Group, the world's largest catalog fashion and lifestyle retailer, will invest 50 million euros ($67 million) in its order fulfillment and parcel...

PayPal Prepares to Launch Full Local Currency Payment Service

International online payment giant PayPal has overcome the legal barriers to full entry and is ready to launch into the increasingly lucrative Russian...

New Rostelecom Management Plans Assault on Mobile Market

Rostelecom plans to form a separate management arm for its mobile business, aggressively expand its share of the 3G market and get one up on its...

Central Bank Creates New Financial Regulator to Focus on 20 Key Banks

Anxious to mitigate risks and foster consumer trust in the financial market, the Central Bank announced plans to create a new department to monitor...

Innovation Center Opens Doors in Downtown Moscow

A brand new hi-tech co-working space welcomed its first partners on Monday as part of the budding Moscow Technology Incubation Program introduced earlier...

M&A Market Halves in Size Amid Economic Uncertainty

The Russian merger and acquisition market contracted by 50 percent in the first six months of 2013 compared to the same period a year before, reflecting...

Yota Founders to Sell Stake in Garsdale

Yota founders Sergei Adonyev and Albert Avdolyan plan to sell their 13.5 percent share in Garsdale Services, the company that owns Skartel and the...

Dacha Registration Legislation Considered

The State Duma will discuss a bill allowing people to reclassify their summer houses, or dachas, as residential dwellings, and to register at them, Prime...

Parliament to Consider Bill to Encourage Low-Cost Air Travel

The State Duma will discuss a bill allowing airlines to sell nonrefundable tickets and charge additional fees for luggage, food and inflight entertainment...

Expert Invokes Italian Economic Miracle as Model for Russia

Removing obstacles that inhibit the development and operation of small- and medium-sized enterprises in Russia is the key to economic recovery,...

Yandex Co-Founder Ilya Segalovich Dead at 48

Ilya Segalovich, co-founder of the Russian Internet search engine Yandex, lost his fight with cancer on Saturday in a London hospital, after the doctors...

Economists Propose De-Offshorization by Definition

Creating a new formal definition of what is a Russian company and giving such an entity an economic advantage over offshore business structures working...

Duma Reviews Mobile Content Fraud Bill

A bill protecting mobile phone users from fraudulent transactions was tentatively approved in its first reading by the State Duma despite outcry from the...

Flightradar24 Expands Live Flight Tracking Service Over Russia

Stockholm-based Flightradar24 has extended its capability to track commercial flights over Russia in real time, installing additional plane positioning...

Duma Makes Nominations For Audit Chamber Chief

The State Duma has approved the nominations of Sergei Stepashin, Tatyana Golikova and Andrei Makarov as candidates to head the Audit Chamber, leaving...

Italian Ambassador on Using Art to Break Down Barriers

Young people in leadership positions, architectural gems in the middle of industrial areas and sheer optimism in the midst of life problems are the things...

Yandex Provides Tool to Battle Robots

Messages e-mailed by robots account for 90 percent of current daily traffic in Russia, squeezing out those written by real people, which stood at 65...

Credit Card Fraud Low in Russia

Credit cards issued in Russia are less likely to be subject to fraud than cards issued overseas, where payment systems have not yet been updated with...

State Companies End Skoltech Financing

President Vladimir Putin relieved state companies from making compulsory contributions to the Skolkovo University of Science and Technology, or Skoltech...

Yandex Caught Up in Yakunin Flap

Russia's leading Internet search engine, Yandex, has come under fire for unwittingly endorsing false reports that Russian Railways chief Vladimir Yakunin...

Nomination of Audit Chamber Head Delayed, Kudrin Among Candidates

The State Duma has approved a list of people nominated by political parties for auditor positions at the Audit Chamber but postponed nomination of the...

Skolkovo Reality Becoming Less Virtual

Hovercraft, bionic arms, space tourism and nuclear laptop batteries may all be products of the future to be created and brought to market by Skolkovo...

RDIF Toddling Along With $620M Invested

The government fund has found global partners and local projects and has big plans to continue expanding its activities.

VTB24 Is No Socialist Bank, Its President Says

VTB Group laid out ambitious expansion plans Tuesday, with its retail banking expected to grow faster than the market in the next three years.

Experts Say Luzhniki Redevelopment to Lead to Infrastructure Collapse

Proposed redevelopment of the Luzhniki stadium in preparation for the 2018 FIFA World Cup will result in the loss of a sporting icon and an infrastructure...

Q&A: Vologda Governor Leverages the Hockey Puck

Oleg Kuvshinnikov knows how to send the hockey puck towards the goal, and uses the same energy and drive to try to make the region he governs a winner...

Skoltech Linking Talent with Industry

Skolkovo scientists met counterparts and officials from Ireland on Wednesday to identify areas of cooperation and find ways to link their discoveries...

Bankers Prefer Women Customers

When it comes to banking, women are more responsible and better customers than men, finance executives said.

Rosbank Optimistic Despite CEO Arrest

The arrest of the head of Societe Generale's Russian subsidiary did not affect liquidity of the bank and the management board is pleased with how...

Russia, U.S. Talk Standards Cooperation

Russia's improving cooperation with the United States on product testing and industrial standards will increase international trade and facilitate...

25% of Internet Users Make Online Payments

A quarter of Internet users in Russia pay for services online, and 30 percent of them are from the Moscow region, according to an e-commerce market...

Medvedev Learns Geology at Skolkovo as Startups Seek Their Niche

Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev visited the Startup Village conference at Skolkovo on Tuesday, reaffirmed his commitment to the Skolkovo innovation...

Forum Helps Hackers to Obey Law

A Moscow-based security firm demonstrated how to hack an ATM without any additional tools to a large crowd of hackers, security experts and software vendors...

Tele2 Says Moscow Needs More Mobile Competition

The poor quality of mobile telephony in Moscow is caused by a lack of competition, said Jere Calmes, head of Tele2 Russia, during the Telecom 2013...

Nikiforov Says State's Weight Is Behind IT

The role of the government is to provide infrastructure and facilitate technological development and innovation, Communications and Press Minister...

Medvedev, Dismissing Recession Jitters, Says Don't Stockpile Food

Former Finance Minister Alexei Kudrin, meanwhile, said Russia will need three to five years to exit economic stagnation.

Countries to Jointly Fight Tax Evasion

Greater cooperation between tax authorities from 45 countries, including more extensive information sharing to help catch evaders, was the result of an...

New Yandex Feature Could Give Some Websites an Advantage

Internet search results will become interactive, enabling users to buy movie tickets or book doctor's appointments directly from the search result page...

Google to Comply With Law but Might Disagree on Interpretation

Google executives on Wednesday expressed their determination to comply with Russian law following a court battle with the authorities but reserved...

State-Funded Projects to Face Scrutiny by Independent Experts

Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev has signed a decree requiring all major state-funded investment projects to undergo a compulsory technological and financial...

NASDAQ IPO Values Qiwi at $884M

Payment services provider Qiwi, known for its blue and orange terminals and rechargeable credit cards, rang the Nasdaq stock market opening bell on Friday...

First Exchange-Traded Fund Launched at Moscow Exchange

Russia entered the $2 trillion global market for exchange-traded products with the launch of the first exchange-traded fund on the Moscow Exchange...

Italy Lists Criteria for Increasing Local Investment

Transparency in business procedures, cheaper domestic travel and road signs in English would bring more tourists and foreign investors to Russia,...

Office Printing Volumes Increasing

A study released Wednesday of people's printing habits in the office, conducted by the All-Russia Public Opinion Research Center, or VTsIOM, demonstrated...

Russia Needs to Protect Intellectual Property, Google Rep Says

Russia needs to build a favorable environment for the protection of intellectual property to make content creation profitable for its owners, Google...

Education 3.0 Changes Landscape of Corporate Training

While research companies are busy with compiling university rankings and Russian parliamentarians with looking for a guilty party responsible for the...

Video Games Drive Media Market Growth

Russians spent $1.3 billion on video games last year, a 30 percent increase from the year before, officially making it a more popular form of visual...

Remote Worker Rule Gives Employers Flexibility

A new law allowing companies to execute employment contracts in electronic form opens access to additional labor pools, permitting employers to hire...

Ministry Plans to Beam Internet to Airplanes

In-flight Internet access is set to get cheaper by connecting passengers via base stations on the ground instead of satellites.

Russia Moves Up in Networked Readiness Index

Russia has moved up two positions in the Networked Readiness Index, according to the Global Information Technology Report, published annually by the...

Microsoft Tablet PC Has Slow Market Entry

Microsoft has sold 280 Surface RT tablet PCs through local retailers M.Video and Euroset since the device became available last week, according to news...

Wikipedia Edits Cannabis Article

Russian Wikipedia edited an article on cannabis smoking on Monday, after being told that it could be shut down under the Internet content law passed...