Data Economy

Russia Boosts Digitalization Budget by 58% Using Telecom Operators' Universal Service Fund

The Russian government has significantly increased allocations for digital projects from the universal service reserve funded by telecom operators. In the 2027 draft budget, 16.3 billion rubles are earmarked for digital solutions, up 58% from the previously planned 10.3 billion rubles. The funds will support the national project Data Economy and the state program Information Society, covering state information systems, digital platforms, cloud infrastructure, AI projects, and quantum technologies. The operator contribution rate remains unchanged at 2% of revenue, with no new levies under consideration. Funding for connecting small settlements to the internet stays at 19.3 billion rubles, while allocations from traffic fines for digitalization are being reduced.

RZD Trunk Quantum Network Obtains FSTEC Attestation and Enters External Commercial Market

Russia’s state-owned railway operator RZD has successfully passed certification by the Federal Service for Technical and Export Control (FSTEC), confirming that its trunk quantum network meets the requirements for information systems of the second protection class. The attestation enables RZD to begin offering quantum-secured communication services to external organizations, including banks, industrial enterprises, medical institutions, and transport companies. Quantum key distribution technology allows any interception attempt to be detected because interference with the quantum channel alters the state of transmitted particles, providing a level of security far beyond conventional encryption methods. The network is already being tested by the Bank of Russia, the Federal Treasury, the Financial University, and several major banks, with potential clients also identified in the oil-and-gas, industrial, healthcare, and transportation sectors. The Ministry of Digital Development considers the technology sufficiently mature and has included further expansion of the quantum network through 2030 in the national “Data Economy” project roadmap. As a result, RZD is gradually transforming from a traditional carrier of passengers and cargo into an operator of protected digital highways.