Rostelecom PVOLS Kingisepp - Kaliningrad

2023: Early reconnection

Rostelecom ahead of schedule completed restoration work on the Baltika underwater fiber-optic communication line (PVOLS) from Kingisepp to Kaliningrad in the Baltic Sea in the exclusive economic zone of Finland. The operability of the communication line connecting the Kaliningrad region with the main digital network of the Russian Federation has been restored in full. The operator announced this on November 13, 2023.

Cable damage was recorded on October 7, 2023 at 23:30 Moscow time. The cable rupture occurred as a result of external impact 28 km from the damaged section of the Baltic Connector gas pipeline.

On November 5, 2023, the Russian non-specialized ship "Rescuer Karev" began restoration work. As a result, 6 km of optical cable was replaced. The work was carried out under an agreement with Bulat LLC using domestic materials and equipment.

The repair was carried out ahead of schedule - in seven working days.

Rostelecom noted that the accident at PVOLS Baltika did not affect the operation of the communication infrastructure and the provision of services to users in the Kaliningrad region - data transmission was organized along ground routes, in addition, backup satellite communication channels were organized.

2021: Construction of PVOLS

Rostelecom on February 17, 2021 announced the completion of the construction of an underwater fiber-optic communication line (PVOLS) Kingisepp - Kaliningrad to increase the availability of communication services in the Russian Federation. This high-speed line will ensure independence and increase the reliability of connecting the westernmost region to the federal digital infrastructure - previously only ground communication lines passing through the territory of the countries were used.

The event dedicated to the completion of the construction of PVOLS was attended by the special representative of the President of the Russian Federation on environmental protection, ecology and transport, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Rostelecom Sergei Ivanov, Governor of the Kaliningrad Region Anton Alikhanov and President of Rostelecom Mikhail Oseevsky.

The total length of the line laid along the bottom of the Baltic Sea was 1,115 km, the throughput capacity - 100 Gbps with the possibility of expansion to 8 Tbit/s. PVOLS will ensure the readiness of Rostelecom's digital infrastructure for growing traffic volumes, increase the reliability and quality of the provision of services and solutions, including telemedicine and distance education in the Kaliningrad region.

The cost of work amounted to about 6 billion rubles, mainly we are talking about the federal budget. The project lasted two years. It took almost a year to design and coordinate the project, including with Sweden and Finland, in the economic zones of which the cable passed. For another year, builders worked at the bottom of the Baltic. By February 17, 2021, the highway is in trial operation. In the near future, the provider will completely switch traffic to the underwater line.

Our state pays special attention to the development of the Kaliningrad region. The built underwater fiber-optic communication line Kingisepp - Kaliningrad will give a powerful impetus to the digital transformation program of the region, the inhabitants of which will be able to feel real advantages from the use of information technologies and services, "said Sergey Ivanov, Special Representative of the President of the Russian Federation for Environmental Protection, Ecology and Transport, Chairman of the Board of Directors of PJSC Rostelecom.

Anton Alikhanov thanked the Russian government and Rostelecom for their contribution to the digitalization of the region and the construction of strategically important, reliable and safe communication channels for the exclave.

The underwater communication line Kingisepp - Kaliningrad provides additional opportunities for solving the problems of digital transformation of the region. The optical highway directly connects the Kaliningrad and Leningrad regions, improving the quality of work and increasing the resource of the communication infrastructure not only in the region, but throughout Russia. "Rostelecom" once again proved its reliability by implementing a complex project in the westernmost part of the country, - said the governor of the Kaliningrad region.

Anton Alikhanov also recalled that as part of the elimination of digital inequality, Rostelecom ensures the functioning of data transmission channels of the regional emergency warning system in the Kaliningrad region, has created a regional portal of public services, and has also joined the organization of an operational assistance service for citizens in the context of the coronavirus pandemic.

The construction of the underwater fiber-optic line is an important infrastructure project for residents, business and budgetary organizations of the Kaliningrad region. For us, this is a technologically complex project, taking into account the geographical and historical features of the region, - said Mikhail Oseevsky, President of PJSC Rostelecom. - The PVOLS route in the waters of the Baltic Sea has 50 intersections with gas pipelines, power cables and communication cables, for example, with Nord Stream and Nord Stream 2. In addition, during the construction, seven sea mines were destroyed by the Baltic Fleet. Nevertheless, Rostelecom specialists completed all the work efficiently and on time.

After the launch of the project, "Rostelecom" will ensure the independence of the Kaliningrad region from foreign Internet providers. Previously, due to the exclave of the region, Internet traffic between Russia and the Kaliningrad region went only through European countries, including Lithuania, Latvia and Poland.^[1]

Kaliningrad finally received an absolutely independent, secure fiber optic communication system with mainland Russia. Now there is no need to be afraid and think what can happen if suddenly some interruptions arise in the existing communication line passing through the territory of Poland or Lithuania. Now they will not arise, - said Sergei Ivanov.

He added that the main strategic task in the region was to ensure the security and uninterrupted operation of Internet communications in the Kaliningrad region. The task has been completed, Ivanov said.