Russian Telecom Giants Launch Smart Optical Transport to Enhance National Fiber-Optic Infrastructure

«Rostelecom» and «T8» have begun work on a joint initiative called «Smart Optical Transport» (SOT). This project aims to enhance the management system for national fiber optic communication lines (FOCL). The government commission for digital development has granted SOT the status of a project of special significance and allocated a grant of 180 million rubles from the Russian Fund for the Development of Information Technologies (RFRIT), matching this investment with an equivalent contribution from Rostelecom.

As part of the SOT initiative, a fully domestic management system for FOCL will be developed, aimed at optimizing the management of data transmission network segments that utilize both Russian and foreign equipment. This system is expected to reduce the time required for network component configuration and improve the response time in emergency situations. Previously, similar solutions were only offered by foreign providers, many of whom have exited the Russian market.

«The management system is a critical element of backbone communication networks, which serve as vital arteries for data economics. This complex software oversees the management of equipment, channels, and services, monitors data transmission quality, and ensures prompt restoration of connections during outages. The departure of foreign companies that previously supplied such solutions from the Russian market poses clear risks to the future development of backbone networks and the maintenance of existing infrastructure. All fixed and mobile communication operators in the country have a vested interest in the successful execution of the Russian ‘Smart Optical Transport’ project,» says Alesya Mamchur, Vice President and Director of Strategic Development at Rostelecom.

The implementation of this project is expected to drive further advancements in Russian networks amidst the continuous growth of data transmission volumes and enhance the technological independence of the country’s telecommunications sector.

The SOT project is slated for completion in June 2027. As the system is refined, functionalities such as automated parameter configuration for equipment and data transmission channels will be expanded, an oversight system for foreign solutions will be implemented, and features for a «digital twin» will be added to analyze conditions and predict network developments. The solution is set to be tested on Rostelecom’s backbone data transmission networks across several regions of Russia.