- Статьи
- Society
- Stepnaya da Steppe: digitalization of villages and villages did not go according to plan
Stepnaya da Steppe: digitalization of villages and villages did not go according to plan
In the era of digitalization, communication in small towns is becoming more than just a convenience — it is a vital factor in preserving the social fabric and economic development of the country. However, the audit of the Accounting Chamber (the document is at the disposal of Izvestia) It revealed serious violations in the expenditure of budget funds aimed at providing access to mobile communications and the Internet in small rural settlements of Russia. Izvestia has studied why digital inequality arises with multibillion-dollar financing and how experts and the government see the problem.
Program failure or system omissions
The audit of the Accounts Chamber, at the suggestion of the Federation Council, covered the effectiveness of budget expenditures from 2021 to 2023 within the framework of universal communication services, which the Ministry of Finance implements with the participation of Rostelecom. According to the law, these services are intended to provide mobile and Internet communications in settlements with a population of 100 to 500 people, "in which there are no other sources of communication."
The audit showed that at the time of the start of the provision of services in 154 settlements, the number of residents did not correspond to the established range, and in 496 settlements similar communication services were already provided by other operators. Thus, federal budget funds in the amount of about 3 billion rubles were used in violation of the principles established by law.
"The main reasons for the violations identified are poor planning and lack of reliable control by the Ministry of Finance, as well as late and incomplete fulfillment of Rostelecom's obligations," the supreme body of external state audit told Izvestia. — In some cases, the services provided for in the contract were not provided on time, while the Ministry of Finance did not take responsibility measures against Rostelecom.
The audit also revealed facts indicating a low demand for Wi‑Fi access points among the population. In 1,056 localities, there was zero or near-zero traffic consumption and a small number of active users. The main reasons for the low demand are the availability of cellular communications in 96% of settlements and the limited range of Wi—Fi access points (about 100 m). In addition, in some localities, access points have not been operating for a long time — from one to eight months.
The Accounting Chamber ordered the Ministry of Finance and Rostelecom to correct violations and recommended making changes to regulations, strengthening control and disabling ineffective Wi-Fi points in order to reduce unnecessary costs.
Universal communication services — provision by the state of communications to settlements with a small population, in which communication services are not provided due to low commercial potential, in order to eliminate digital inequality in the country.
The position of the Ministry of Finance
The Ministry of Finance, in response to the claims of the Accounts Chamber, emphasizes the scale and success of the program to eliminate digital inequality. According to the ministry, since 2020, more than 8.5 thousand small settlements have been connected to the Internet, and since 2025, coverage has been expanded by increasing the upper limit of the population to 1 thousand people. At the same time, it is confirmed that the population data is based on the census, and a decrease in the number of residents is not a reason to dismantle base stations so as not to leave citizens without communication.
The Ministry of Finance points out that "before installing base stations, the availability and quality of coverage in a locality must be checked by other operators, and if 25% of the territory is not properly covered, the point is included in the project." The appearance of other operators during the duration of the project is only welcome, despite the possible financial difficulties with dismantling.
There is also a gradual closure of outdated Wi-Fi points due to the transition to LTE base stations: "their demand is decreasing as high-quality mobile coverage is provided." By mid-2025, more than 6,300 points using base stations have been connected, and the plan by 2030 is to increase the number to 9,242. "The implementation of the project contributes to improving the quality of life and the development of local businesses," the press service of the Ministry of Finance emphasized.
Izvestia sent a request to Rostelecom and major telecom operators, but no comments had been received at the time of publication.
Geography, economics, and bureaucracy
Senator Olga Epifanova, an expert at the Agency for Strategic Initiatives (ASI), emphasizes that digital inequality is a complex problem related to the geography and infrastructure of a huge country, where building and maintaining communications in hard—to-reach regions require huge costs and time. According to her, "in remote and hard-to-reach regions, the laying of fiber-optic lines or the installation of cell towers is associated with logistical difficulties and high costs."
— In addition, the economic motivation of operators is low: private companies strive for profitability and are not interested in investing in sparsely populated promising territories where payback will not come soon, — says the senator of the Russian Federation. — Bureaucracy and insufficient coordination between federal, regional and municipal structures are highlighted separately, which hinder the disbursement of funds.
Another difficulty is the technological limitations in remote settlements.: satellite Internet does not yet provide stable high speed, and the power supply of telecom equipment is not reliable in all villages, adds Epifanova.
Despite this, the government is taking steps to combat inequality — "accelerated development of satellite Internet, subsidizing operators and simplifying regulatory procedures," the senator notes.
System audit and innovation are needed
The position of the consulting community is expressed by Anna Gulyaeva, Deputy General Director for Audit of the ICPC. She argues that "the allocation of significant budget funds alone does not guarantee an effective result," and the violations identified serve as a signal of "weak planning, insufficient control and an unstable model of government interaction with operators."
Gulyaeva warns that without accurate metrics and rigorous auditing, the risks will persist.
"Even with the availability of financing, so—called digital deserts appear, that is, regions with formal infrastructure without real quality," the expert points out.
The solution is seen in the introduction of transparency, the redistribution of resources in favor of small operators with flexible business models and the use of new technologies. This will really bridge the digital divide, rather than create the appearance of a solution.
RUDN University expert Khadzhimurad Belkharoev draws attention to the reasons for the failures — the lack of control and supervisory measures and the problem of monopolization. When a single supplier receives a contract without competition, they often do not complete the work. The consequences are the need for repeated costs and unresolved tasks.
Particular attention is paid to the context of sanctions that impose restrictions on the import of equipment and services from IT markets, which increases prices and complicates purchases.
Belkharoev emphasizes that it is necessary to "finish what has been started and establish all necessary communications for rural residents" in order to prevent further population outflow and ensure sustainable development.
Digital scarcity is a threat to stability and development
Ilya Mosyagin from the Institute of International Economic Relations highlights the social threat posed by digital inequality.
— Young people have always aspired to cities — this is a global trend. <...> The problem is that the lack of high—quality digital infrastructure exacerbates this trend," he concludes.
Without the Internet, "villages are losing not just young people, but the most active and educated part of them, as well as doctors, teachers, and IT specialists." Mosyagin warns that any technical breakthrough, such as satellite Internet, "must be accompanied by a radical strengthening of control over the execution of contracts and the audit of real benefits, not just reports."
Ivan Martianov from the People's Farmer Association links the digital problem with an acute shortage of qualified personnel in agriculture: "80% of agricultural producers are experiencing a shortage of specialists." He highlights the professions in demand: machine milking operators, animal technicians, veterinarians, etc. The Association actively promotes rural professions through agroclasses and agricultural hackathons, attracting young people and changing attitudes towards rural life.
The implementation of such projects, according to Martianov, is part of a comprehensive solution to the personnel and digital deficit.
Переведено сервисом «Яндекс Переводчик»
