ABSTRACT
This chapter examines trace global trends and considers the factors that stimulate and hinder the process. It analyzes the penetration of transnational service providers, market liberalization and the role of regulators in the process. The global trends typical of the communications sphere in particular and of economic development in general have affected the Russian telecommunications industry to an ever greater extent. The globalization process inevitably affected Russian telecommunications for the following reasons. Moreover, the average indexes cannot give one an idea of the great range in levels of development and income of different actors in various sectors of the telecommunications services market. Penetration of the Russian telecommunications services market by private capital started back in 1990. Ever greater diversity among the actors is another global trend that has affected Russian telecommunications. Many Russian political and economic circles hold a negative view of globalization. Russia is in the mainstream of global developments in the telecommunications industry.
