Refinement of OS “Aurora” was estimated at 300 billion rubles

Roskomnadzor discussed with Russian smartphone manufacturers and developers of operating systems (OS) the refinement of the Aurora OS and its adaptation to mobile devices. The project was estimated at 300 billion rubles. until 2027, when the OS should enter the consumer segment. To get rid of the dominance of Western operating systems, the authorities also suggested that domestic developers create a specialized association. Experts believe that in the current conditions, it is possible to develop Russian operating systems only at the expense of state funding.

Sources of Kommersant in the IT market said that on August 9, Roskomnadzor held a meeting with developers of mobile operating systems and smartphone manufacturers on the issue of the independence of Russian networks from foreign influence. It, according to Kommersant, was attended by representatives of Yadro, Aquarius, Kaspersky Lab, and others. ”) is estimated at about 300 billion rubles, by 2027 the system should appear in the consumer segment. One of the interlocutors clarified that it was also proposed to create an association of mobile OS developers.

The interlocutor of Kommersant among electronics manufacturers confirmed the fact of the meeting in Roskomnadzor. According to him, work on the development of Russian operating systems “requires serious government investments.” “We are talking about increasing the competitiveness of mobile operating systems that are already present or will soon appear on the Russian market: these are Aurora, Rosa, and others,” the Kommersant source clarified.

It is assumed that these operating systems can be fully and safely used not only in the public sector and in the corporate segment, but also in the consumer market, the interlocutor of Kommersant notes. At the end of 2022, Rostelecom presented a project for a national mobile ecosystem, where by 2030 it was planned to sell 70 million devices on the Aurora OS. Its cost was estimated at 480 billion rubles. (see Kommersant dated October 27, 2022).

Oleg Karpitsky, General Director of STC IT ROSA, said that he was aware of the proposal for additional investments in the amount of 300 billion rubles. in the development of the Aurora OS, and also heard about the initiative to create an association: “But we believe that the most effective tool for the market will be the development of a mechanism to stimulate application developers for existing domestic mobile operating systems.” Rosa OS, according to Oleg Karpitsky, will enter the consumer segment in 2024. Yadro, Rostelecom and Kaspersky Lab declined to comment. In “Aquarius” “Kommersant” did not answer.

Roskomnadzor told Kommersant that they are studying “the issues of reducing the dependence of Russian communication networks on foreign mobile platforms.” To this end, the department added, “consultations are being held with Russian manufacturers of mobile phones, developers of domestic mobile operating systems and applications.” Funding issues for the mobile platform are “not the subject of meetings.”

According to Dmitry Altukhov, adviser to the director of the Internet Initiatives Development Fund, the state is migrating state-owned companies and ministries to Russian operating systems, both computer and mobile: “As for the consumer segment, the plans are to get rid of the total dominance of American operating systems.” Roman Mylitsyn, head of advanced research at Astra Group of Companies (developing OS Astra), said that the company is ready to join the association.

An interlocutor of Kommersant among electronics manufacturers believes that the declared amount of 300 billion rubles. necessary not only to refine the OS itself, but also to adapt the application software and drivers of the Aurora OS for each individual device. Another interlocutor of Kommersant among software developers noted that recently new programs have appeared on the Aurora OS and the fleet of compatible devices has expanded, “but the ecosystem still does not cover the basic needs of the customer.” Due to the low base of devices on the Russian OS, adds a Kommersant source on the market, it is possible to develop it “only through direct government investment.”

Timofey Kornev