Communication

With a view of satisfying demand of the population and organizations of the republic in modern communication services the Government of the Republic of Karelia cooperated with telecoms operators concerning linking. Agreements were signed with the largest telecommunication agencies.

In territory of the republic of communication service to legal entities and physical persons is provided by 14 operators. The leading position on the volume, quality and structure of rendering of telecommunication services belongs to Karelian branch of the North-West Telecom, and on mail communication services - to Karelian branch of the Russian Post federal state unitary enterprise. Mobile operators VimpelCom, Inc., MTS, Inc., Megafon, Inc., develop actively. Now cellular communications are available in all regional centers of Karelia, on the basic tourist objects, such as Kizhi island, Valaam island, Marcial Waters spa, on federal and republican highways.

Working group founded according to the order of the Government of the RK has prepared offers on implementation of Agreement between the Russian Television Broadcasting Network federal state unitary enterprise and Government of the Republic of Karelia on cooperation in the field of development and modernization of TV and broadcasting networks in the republic, creation of regional TV-channel and development of digital video broadcast.

Government of the Republic of Karelia supported the project of laying of Kuhmo - Kostomuksha fiber-optic link. In November 2008 the fiber-optic link pased the border with Finland near the Lyttä multilateral automobile checkpoint.

Actions on mail service development were implemented within the scope of agreement concluded between the Government of the republic and Russian Post federal state unitary enterprise.

Government of the Republic of Karelia rendered assistance in development of mail service branches in territory of the republic. According to the tax laws of the Republic of Karelia, there has been kept the lowered tax rate on the assets of organizations (0.7%) for mail service organizations located in villages. Transfer of budgetary rent and municipal services assistance to citizens, social payments is carried out through mail service organizations. Employees of state-financed organisation located in the countryside receive their wages transferred to plastic cards.

In 2008 network of public Internet access points has grown by 20, by the end of 2008 having totaled 176 centers, including 135 created on the basis of postal telegraph offices, 30 - on the basis of establishments of culture including libraries, 8 - on the basis of municipal establishments.

Agreements with mobile operators on cooperation were consummated in 2008. Actions on expansion of the sphere and quality of communication service in territory of the republic have been performed.