Despite competition from ISPs that connect users to the Internet via Ethernet networks, ADSL will still remain popular in Russia for a long time, Russian market players believe. Yet estimates of the period of sustained demand for ADSL vary from 3 to 5 years. ADSL providers themselves are more optimistic, believing that most subscribers do not need the speed of Ethernet connections, while the low speed of outgoing data from the subscriber is often higher than the data transfer restrictions set by the receiving server. Analysts also hold out hopes for the wireless access market, but it could be years before wireless services reach end users. At the same time, mobile internet access will account for a mere 6 percent of broadband connections in Russia.

Summa Telecom will invest $50 million in an undersea cable to connect Russia's Sakhalin with Japan. The communication line will connect mainland Russia, Sakhalin and Japan. The company Transtelecom is also laying a cable connection with Sakhalin and has already prepared the necessary land infrastructure for the communication channel. All communication between Sakhalin and mainland Russia presently takes place via satellite, ever since the old cable of Rostelecom and Dalsviaz became unserviceable. Some analysts express amazement over the plans of Summa Telecom, saying that it is irrational to go ahead with laying the cable without first preparing the land infrastructure. At the same time, Summa Telecom does not have networks on Sakhalin proper. There is also uncertainty concerning the cable link with Japan, as prior intergovernmental agreements are needed to lay it.

Federal Antimonopoly Service has notified Moscow Mayor Yuri Luzhkov of its dissatisfaction with the preferential treatment enjoyed by the cable operator Mostelecom owing to a recent directive by the city's authorities. With their October 17 directive the city fathers have obligated municipal services to assist Mostelecom in the process of development of its broadband access network. This operator is allowed to seek out and report unsanctioned or substandard networks of other operators, which creates conditions for unfair competition.