Development of the Internet of Things in Russia

​Ministry of Communications and Mass Media of the Russian Federation plans to approve the concept of (Internet of things) IoT development in Russia. Such concept provides that law enforcement authorities will be able to access information stored on IoT platforms. Moreover, closed network will be established in the Russian Federation to protect the Russian segment of the IoT.

The main idea of this concept is to improve police work and pre-trial investigations. In order to do so, the IoT networks should be connected to the police work and pre-trial investigations system and thus, the Law on Communications should be amended. It is proposed to form a closed network in the territory of the Russian Federation with the help of a register of device identifiers, access points and other elements to protect the Russian IoT. The authorities want to limit the use of devices without identifiers in Russia and introduce and issue a separate license for services in the field of IoT.

The concept also provides support to domestic equipment manufacturers and IoT developers. It is proposed to give them an advantage in public procurement and to limit the import and use of foreign equipment. The new sectoral sections of the concept will have to take into account the specifics of IoT application in smart cities, construction, energy, agriculture and other sectors, the head of the competence center "Information Infrastructure.

Many market participants are convinced that Restriction of foreign equipment is too strict solution. Russian manufacturers are not ready to offer solutions for a number of standards, which may lead to technological vacuum. The most famous IT companies pointed out that Restrictions will complicate the development of the IoT in the country, as they do not have our own standards and technologies. In addition, the connection to the police work and pre-trial investigations system may put market participants in unequal conditions, affect the cost of service for subscribers and increase the cost of implementation of the national project "Digital Economy".