Andrey Gordeev / Vedomosti

Rostelecom and VTB will create a joint technology platform for working with big data. The corresponding memorandum was signed at the VTB Capital investment forum "Russia Calling!" by Rostelecom President Mikhail Oseevsky and VTB Chairman of the Management Board Andrey Kostin. Investments in the platform from both companies are estimated at 1 billion rubles.

The joint venture of Rostelecom and VTB will develop systems for the exchange, analysis and visualization of big data, including using artificial intelligence technology, the companies said in a statement. The platform will be open to all participants in the telecommunications market, financial services, retail, development and public sector organizations. All data used will be depersonalized and encrypted before being transferred to partners, and will also undergo quality and legality checks. The data will be stored on the side of the project participants.

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Technologies / Telecommunications

Oseevsky told Vedomosti about the possible creation of a Rostelecom and VTB platform in mid-October. At the same time, the information was confirmed by the first deputy chairman of the VTB board, Dmitry Olyunin.

Earlier, four sources of Vedomosti, who are aware of the upcoming deal, said that the partners are trying to involve other data providers in the project. They said that Magnit would share the data (18.3% of the retailer belongs to VTB ). Three pointed to Tele2 - a representative of the operator confirmed that it could become a participant in the project, declining to comment further. Rostelecom currently owns 45% of the company's shares; in mid-November, the state operator confirmed that it was buying another 55% of Tele2. Two people heard from VTB and Rostelecom about the participation of Pochta Bank in the project (49.99% belongs to VTB). In addition, Vedomosti's sources heard about negotiations with the insurance company Sogaz , which is 10% owned by VTB, the PIK Group (23.1% belongs to VTB), as well as with National Media Group, Russian Post, and X5 Retail Group . Earlier, a representative of Sogaz (which owns VTB Insurance) declined to comment, and the other companies did not respond to Vedomosti’s inquiries.

Such associations already exist. For example, the MTS group includes the mobile operator itself, its large retail network (almost 5900 stores as of August 2019), MTS Bank, and several other areas - a video service and other entertainment projects.

Rostelecom and VTB to invest one billion rubles in a big data platform