The Third Russian Internet Forum took place in Moscow environments on March 10 to 13, 1999. Approximately 450 participants from more than 200 companies and organizations were present at the Forum. Among them, there were representatives from the leading Russian Internet providers (Demos-Internet, Glasnet, Golden Line, Zenon, Combellga, COMCOR, Macomnet, MTU-Inform, Rostelecom, Cityline, Sovam Teleport, Central Telegraph), Internet content providers (IT InfoArt Stars, System.RU, V6, Algorithm Group, AlterMedia, National News Service, NetSkate, RosBusinessConsulting, Garant-Park, Prime-TASS, CompTek, Finmarket, etc.), the major information agencies (ITAR-TASS, Interfax), nation-wide TV companies (NTV, TV-Center), numerous magazines and newspapers (both specialized and general ones), as well as banks, financial groups, computer vendors, etc.

Participation of businesses from Russian regions, governmental institutions and social organizations was somewhat limited. This relates to the State Committee for Communications and Informatics (GosKomSvyaz), the parliament, FSB, Institute of Economics of Russian Academy of Science, ROCIT (Russian Non-profit Center for Internet Technologies), Russian Research Institute for Development of Public Networks, Central Economics and Mathematics Institute. On the other hand, many leaders of the world computer industry were present at the Forum, including Microsoft, Intel, Sun Microsystems, IBM, Oracle, Hewlett-Packard, Cisco Systems, Nortel Networks, SAS Institute. It is worth mentioning that Intel was represented by U. Til, the General Manager for Central and East Europe. His report at the Forum was devoted to application of Intel architecture and Pentium III processors in Internet.

Among the most interesting reports, one should also mention the one on TV-Internet Broadcasting by IT InfoArt Stars; sociological polling data by Comcon-2; operator's insight of the "digital revolution" in Russia by Sovam Teleport; perspectives of Internet development in Russia by Demos; e-commerce in Russia by Platina bank and Reksoft company; Internet security by FAPSI; satellite Internet access by EUTELSAT; language barriers in Internet and online translating systems by ProMT.

As revealed by Comcon-2, currently there are 1.3 mln. Internet users and 5.3 mln. home computers in Russia. The polls were performed according to R-TGI methodology in the 40 largest cities of the country.

IT InfoArt Stars, the largest content provider in ex-USSR domain, announced the project of building a three-portal architecture (metaportal, mediaportal, expoportal). The portals will be aimed at intellectual search, customization and navigation (neuron networking), daily Internet broadcasting for mass audience (Cisco IP/TV) and permanent exposition and sale of goods and services. Trial broadcasting will begin in April 1999.

The next Russian Internet Forum will be held next spring.

Source: InfoArt News Agency

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