Rostelecom, Russia’s national long-distance telecommunications operator, provided its network to support a multipoint videoconference “Priority National Project “Education” and the regional development”, which was organized by the Russian Ministry of Education and Science. Besides the Minister Andrei Fursenko, who took part in the videoconference from Vladivostok, other participants included heads of subjects of the Russian Federation and representatives of schools, colleges and universities from nine regions of Russia.

It was the second real-time videoconference held to discuss the implementation of the National project “Education” President Putin called as one of the state priorities in September 2005. The first videoconference (in December 2005) was also organized using Rostelecom’s multimedia network.

The Company’s audio & videoconferencing services are developed on the back of the multipoint server MGC-100, which allows to hold videoconferences with participants in multiple locations (48 – connected by ISDN and 36 – by IP). Simultaneously, it is possible to organize up to 20 videoconferences. Rostelecom’s audioconferencing system enables phone conferencing with 96 participants.

Videoconferencing services, offered by the Company, are in great demand from state bodies, businesses and large companies for conducting distance learning, advanced training, business discussions and meetings, as well as for providing telemedicine etc.