Mintsifra: departure of Nokia and Ericsson from Russia will not be reflected in quality of telephone communication

Departure of telecommunications equipment manufacturers Nokia and Ericsson from Russia will not affect the quality of telephone communication, informed TASS with reference to the press service of the Ministry of Digital Development. The department clarified that there is no shortage of telecommunications equipment in Russia.

“There is no shortage of telecom equipment, the departure of companies will not affect the quality of communication. Operators will gradually switch to Russian equipment,” the statement said.

The Ministry of Digital Development emphasized that mobile operators will allocate more than 100 billion rubles for the purchase of domestic equipment, which will allow “to organize modern production of telecom equipment in Russia.” Its deliveries will begin in 2025, the department specified.

After the start of the special operation in Ukraine, Western countries imposed sanctions that affected, among other things, high-tech exports to the Russian Federation. Suppliers need to obtain a special license to export such products. After that, the largest telecommunications companies announced their withdrawal from the Russian market and the termination of equipment supplies to the country. Among them were Nokia and Ericsson.

Formerly Reuters reportedthat after the departure of the Finnish and Swedish companies in Russia, the quality of mobile communications may deteriorate. According to the agency, Russian users may experience longer downloads and disconnections during telephone conversations.

April 12 Nokia reported, which considers it impossible to continue business in Russia. The company clarified that it had suspended deliveries and began to transfer limited research and development activities outside the country. At the same time, the manufacturer said that it plans to support the operation of networks in the Russian Federation, and promised to apply for the necessary licenses.

Nokia applied to the US and Finland for export licenses in early November. According to information RBC, U.S. approval is required as French-American equipment manufacturer Alcatel-Lucent took over in 2016, and some patents are also registered to local companies. A license from the Finnish authorities was required, as equipment supplies are planned from Finland. On December 5, the head of MegaFon Khachatur Pombukhchan informedthat Nokia received permission from the US and Finnish authorities to supply equipment to Russia.

Ericsson reported on the suspension of work in the Russian Federation on April 11. The company clarified that it stopped supplying telecommunications equipment to Russia at the end of February. In August, Ericsson announced that it would wind down its activities in Russia. According to CEO Börje Ekholm, the company is leaving the Russian market lost 1.2 billion SEK, or about $130 million December 15 Ericsson announced on the sale of the Russian customer support business of its subsidiary in the Russian Federation.