Russia Delegation Explores Telecom Collaboration

Russia’s deputy minister of communications and mass media, Rashid Ismailov, discussed in Tehran prospects to promote collaboration in science and technology. 

Ismailov exchanged views with officials from the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology during the three-day visit. 

According to a ministry press release, Mehdi Mohtashami, deputy minister for international met the Russian official on December 4 and stressed that ties between the two neighbors should be conducive to advancements in the realm of information and communication technology.

Noting that Tehran has major investment plans for the ICT sector, as part of the next economic development plan (2016-2021), the official expressed interest in expanding cooperation with Russia with the aim of “creating a competitive environment, supporting local production and export of ICT products to neighboring countries.” 

Mohtashami said both sides need to build closer business ties that can “enable local firms to export hardware and software.”  

He also called for expanding collaboration in cyberspace and network security and working together to prevent cyberattacks.  

Russia has made progress in developing search engines, he recalled. “We hope they (Russia) introduce the Persian language -- another potential area for mutual cooperation.”

Ismailov said bilateral visits should help pave the way for expanding cooperation in the telecom industry “specifically between the private sectors.” 

Russia’s multinational technology company Yandex is ready to collaborate with Iran in the areas of social media network and messaging applications while Intersputnik (International Organization of Space Communications) is an ideal candidate for expanding space collaboration, the visiting official was quoted as saying. 

The Russian delegation also called on private sector firms active in telecommunications and ICT, the ministry press release said without providing details. 

Following the visit, Iran’s Telecoms Minister Mahmoud Vaezi told a press briefing on December 5 that a final decision has yet not been made regarding collaboration with Yandex.