Auditorium in space: RSCC General Director Alexey Volin spoke with MGIMO students about the role of satellite communications in Russia

Satellite communication is an element of critical importance in ensuring the information security and sovereignty of Russia. More details about its role gave RSCC General Director Alexey Volin during a lecture within the framework of the Project of the First Forum. The event takes place from 10 to 14 March in MGIMO University.

“80% of our country’s territory has no alternative to satellite: fiber optic cannot guarantee the access to communications services and the Internet for small and hard-to-reach areas’ residents, scientific workers in the Arctic Region, crews in the open sea, mine and steel workers at remote enterprises etc. Moreover, television distribution can be realized only with help of satellites”, mentioned General Director of RSCC. The company provide broadcasting of 1,100 federal and regional channels in Russia, as well as some foreign TV-channels in 13 countries abroad. In general, RSCC provides services in 61 countries and coverage of 81.4% of the globe.

What about the Russian market: as of 2025, domestic satellite operators occupy 90%, while 63% of the market remains with RSCC. Although this rate was lower earlier, the trend was similar: in 2022, the total share of companies from the Russian Federation was 75% (RSCC had 50%). Foreign presence has decreased from 25% in 2022 to 10% in 2025, added Alexey Volin.

Nowadays the domestic satellite sector operates in conditions when market players can rely only on themselves. That is why it is important more than ever to ensure information sovereignty, import substitution and technological self-sufficiency when it comes to supplies from abroad. Russian industry manage this task successfully, Alexey Volin highlighted.

Today Russian enterprises have big plans for the replenishment of their constellations in GEO, MEO, LEO as well as elliptic orbit. It also refers to communications satellites, navigation, Earth observation, atmospheric monitoring projects, testing and experimental programs. The future of Russian satellite sector must be built through cooperation, so perspective systems can fully meet clients’ and nation’s requirements.