Status of Productive Industry
Communication and Informatization

In recent years communication has become one of most dynamically developing branches in the republic. In the territory of Karelia there are more than 20 communication statements providing a broad spectrum of telecommunication services including local, long-distance and international telephone communication, data transmission, access to the Internet, rent of communication channels, translation of sound programs on teleprogram, granting services of mobile telecommunication, etc.

Total amount of communication services in 2004 has made 1224,0 million rbls. (117.2% to the level of 2003), services rendered to the population have grown 16.8%, and 17.8% - to legal persons.

The Government of the RK has completed the Agreement on mutual cooperation with Northwest Telecom, Inc., that is the largest operator of telecommunication in the Northwest of Russia and in the territory of Karelia it is presented the by its branch Telecommunication of the Republic of Karelia. For the period of the Agreement implementation in the republic 430 million rbls. of investments has been received, capacities for 29 thousand numbers have been introduced. Operators representing services of mobile telecommunication develop actively. In 2004 works on improvement of quality of communication, increase in the network capacity and expansion of the cover zone in cities and districts of the republic have been performed.

Agreement between the Russian Television Broadcasting Network Federal State Enterprise and the Government of the Republic of Karelia on cooperation concerning operation and development of television and broadcasting networks in the territory of the republic has been signed.

Informatization. In 2004 work on creation of uniform information space has been continued in the republic. Consecutive realization of programs aimed at construction of bases of the "information society" has been accomplished: "Informatization of Libraries", "Informatization of Education", "Creation of Land Resources' and Related to Them Real Estate Objects' Automated Control System".

The Council on Informatization at the Head of the Republic of Karelia continued its work. During its sessions state and development of informatization in the republic have been considered, priorities on realization of the state policy in the field of informatization have been defined.

The Important stage in development of processes of informatization of the republic was accepting the republican target program Informatization of the Republic of Kareliya in 2004-2006 on which realization 15,6 million rbl. will be assigned from the budget of the RK within three years. The Program includes 10 prime directions aimed at creation and development of republican information and telecommunication systems and networks for communication of information, protection and effective utilization of information resources, attraction of investments and support of specific projects in the field of informatization, etc.

Within the framework of the Program basic elements of the automated information system "State Order of the Republic of Kareliya", designed for 250 budget recipients have been generated in 2004; work on introduction of a program information complex "Uniform System of Alcoholic Production Traffic Registration" has been started. Development of s base geoinformation system "The Republic of Karelia" providing information support of processes of administrative decision making in the republic, automation of processes of formation of passports and information maps for municipal formations under reform of local self-government has begun.

Works on use of information and communication technologies in the field of culture and education have received further development. In November of 2004 Karelia has participated in the Northwest Internet-forum in St.-Petersburg, where on results in the field of electronic resources the republic has been awarded with three diplomas:

• in the "Best Political Site" nomination the winner's diploma was received by the official site of the Government of the RK;
• in the nomination "Culture and History of the Region" the two first places went to the site of the Museum of Fine Art (the winner's diploma) and the site "History of Our City" (the second place diploma).

Much work has been done to attract means of the federal budget and unappropriated sources to implement informatization projects in the territory of the republic.

In 2004 Karelia was included in the list of regions participating in the Informatization of Education System project that supposes reception of about 100 million roubles from the federal budget.

Within the framework of e-Russia (2002-2010) Federal Traget Program e-Petrozavodsk project has been launched aimed at creation of information system providing information and analytical support of administrative decision making by heads and experts of institutions of the local government, information transparency of activity of local government institutions; increase of efficiency of interaction with citizens on the basis of use modern information computer technologies (ICT).

Besides within the framework of e-Russia (2002-2010) Federal Traget Program a typical Concept of municipal institutions uniform integrated control system (on the example of Petrozavodsk) which assumes interaction of administrations of municipal institutions and bodies of the government of the Republic of Karelia has been developed in the Republic of Karelia in 2004.

In December of 2004 e-Karelia TACIS project has been launched in the territory of the republic. The project is supposed to support enterprises of small and medium business in promotion, training, marketing, and effective utilization of modern information technologies. The project will become an integral part of the informatization process in Karelia and development of cross-border cooperation within the framework of the e-Karelia program. Total budget of the project has made €2 million.

To develop priority orientations of realization of policy in the field of informatization the republic regularly participates in informatization monitorings held by federal executive bodies.