Report: Russian govt has no plans to fully replace Microsoft products

MOSCOW, Nov 2 (PRIME) -- The Russian government does not plan to transfer all its state entities from Microsoft software to domestic products, business daily Vedomosti reported Wednesday on its Web site, citing the president’s press secretary Dmitry Peskov.

“No, it’s absolutely impossible,” Peskov said. “There is understanding, however, that domestic software can be engaged where it’s effective, advanced and comparable to foreign analogues.”

Microsoft products can be replaced when “domestic software producers create something more effective,” he said.

State-controlled operator Rostelecom intends to buy rights to use local software My Office for 284.5 million rubles. About 10 state entities have already held tenders to purchase My Office.

NBC News reported earlier, citing a senior U.S. intelligence official, that the Kremlin is backing a plan to rid government offices and state-controlled companies of all foreign software, starting with Moscow city government replacing Microsoft products with Russian ones.

(63.2025 rubles – U.S. $1)

End