|
Valery N. Yashin
Director General,
OAO Svyazinvest
русская версия
Svyazinvest is a major telecommunications holding in Russia. The operators of the holding own over 80 % of the Russian telecommunications infrastructure and provide telecom services to more than 92 % of the Russian Federation residents.
In 2000—2002 Svyazinvest effected — on an unparalleled scale — a reform of the Russian fixed communications system: 72 regional operators were consolidated into seven mega-regional companies each of which is comparable to leading European telecommunications companies in terms of the number of telephone lines and the extent of operating activities.
Thus the key assets of the holding today are the following mega-regional companies: CenterTelecom, North-West Telecom, VolgaTelecom, Sibirtelecom, Southern Telecommunications Company, Uralsvyazinform, Dalsvyaz, as well as Rostelecom, the national long-distance & international operator, and the industry institute Giprosvyaz .
The year 2003 became the first year of consolida-ted mega-regional telecom companies' functioning. Despite all those problems that emerge when formerly independent operators begin to function as parts of a large single enterprise, our companies completed the year with good business and financial indices: the total holding re-venue amounted to 151 billion rubles (the 26 % growth against 2002) while gain on sales reached 39,5 billion rubles (26 % growth, too).
46,4 billion rubles were invested in telecom facilities development. This made it possible to install over 14 thousand kilometers of transmission lines and increase the number of domestic long-distance links by 53 thousand. Almost 3,5 million new local phone numbers were put into operation (about 900 thousand more than in 2002). Obsolete telephone exchanges with total capacity of almost 680 thousand numbers have been upgraded. The local telephone network digitalization level grew from 37,5 % up to 43,1 % over the year.
At present the holding staff efforts are focused on the completion of quick corporate reorganization of mega-regional companies to transform these into modern, competitive and highly efficient structures. To achieve this, qualitative restructuring of all business aspects of our operators is being carried out and modern business methods are being introduced.
Yet, not for a minute do we forget that the holding is responsible for developing the telecommunications infrastructure in the territory of the whole country. This year we are planning to commission 4 million new numbers, build 18 thousand kilometers of transmission lines and increase the number of long-distance communication links by 80 thousand.
Since its very start the holding Svyazinvest has been a permanent member of Telecom Forum, and we firmly believe that the task set by the organizers 10 yeas ago – that is, to set up a club of persons interested in the development of national telecommunications – has been brilliantly achieved.
Today it is difficult to overestimate the importance of Telecom Forum for the telecommunications community. Where else is it possible to informally ask the industry authorities any question of interest? Thanks to the club, over all these years each of us has had a priceless opportunity to keep abreast of the government policy and latest trends in the area of telecommunications, to communicate with associates, make new acquaintances and meet old friends.
I would like to thank the Forum organizers and wish all the members of our club further success in their professional endeavours.
|
