Russian national fixed line operator Rostelecom reported on its website that the number of requests for new high speed broadband connections was up by 22% over the last week, due to the widespread shift to remote working and demand for e-learning, online sales and digital video services as much of the population self-isolates amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Rostelecom also noted that its network traffic increased by 10% during the last three weeks. To address this, the company has implemented technical and operational measures which it says have ‘helped ensure the smooth functioning of the broadband infrastructure and ample network capacity with no impact on quality’. Rostelecom has also started to gradually transfer customers’ plans to higher internet speeds.
Separately, it has been reported that Rostelecom – via subsidiary Bashinformsvyaz – has completed the takeover of a 50.3% stake in Arkhangelsk TV Company (ATVC), operating in the city and region of Arkhangelsk, in the north of European Russia.