Novosibirsk Launches Unique Production Facility for Telecom Equipment
Russia is scaling up domestic telecom manufacturing as a Novosibirsk-based company doubles production of critical fiber‑optic transceivers, strengthening national technological independence
Import Substitution Gains Momentum
The Russian telecom industry continues accelerating its shift toward domestic manufacturing of high‑tech components. One of the most critical elements in modern communication networks is the fiber‑optic transceiver—hardware responsible for converting electrical signals into light pulses and back, enabling data transmission across optical‑fiber lines.
One of Russia’s leading producers of such devices, Novosibirsk‑based FiberTrade, has launched a new production line that will double its output from 30,000 to 60,000 units per month. The facility uses a technology rarely applied in Russia—chip‑on‑board (COB), where an unpackaged semiconductor die is mounted directly onto a printed circuit board.
The opening ceremony was attended by the governor of Novosibirsk Region, Andrey Travnikov, who emphasized: “It is extremely important that today our radio‑electronics and telecom‑equipment industries rely not only on established historic teams but also on young, fast‑growing enterprises. They survived the challenges of the 2000s, overcame barriers of fierce—sometimes unfair—competition, and have now reached their golden hour, expanding and increasing production.”
Why Photonics Development Matters
According to FiberTrade CEO Alexey Yunin, photonics development is a cornerstone of national technological sovereignty. “Today we proudly launch our new production line based on a technology that allows mounting chips directly onto printed circuit boards. This will enable us to manufacture transceivers with data rates up to 400G. FiberTrade is proud to contribute to the development of photonics in Russia—an industry that is strategically important for the national economy and scientific‑technical progress,” he said.
A Full‑Cycle Production Ecosystem
Founded in Novosibirsk in 2010, FiberTrade launched its own transceiver manufacturing line in 2017, becoming a pioneer in this segment within Russia. By 2022, it had been designated a systemically important enterprise. In 2024, the company mastered and deployed COB module production.
Until now, FiberTrade controlled roughly 45% of the domestic market for fiber‑optic transceivers. With the new production line, its share is expected to grow to around 70%. The company operates a full production cycle—from circuit design and PCB layout to software development, optical‑chip mounting, assembly, and final module testing.
A Boost for the Russian Microelectronics Sector
The exit of Western vendors after the onset of the special military operation has accelerated the development of domestic microelectronics. For example, in 2022 the Mikron plant received a loan of about $77m to expand chip production. In March 2024, the company opened new lines at the Technopolis Moscow special economic zone to package microchips and manufacture chip modules for banking cards, digital IDs, and SIM cards—using a full‑cycle model from semiconductor fabrication to packaging.
Russian manufacturers are increasingly active in industry events that help them showcase achievements and strengthen partnerships. The Microelectronics‑2025 forum gathered 167 companies from across Russia, along with participants from Belarus and China.
The launch of the new FiberTrade facility reinforces the country’s move toward technological sovereignty. Russian specialists are mastering increasingly complex technologies, allowing domestic companies not only to meet internal demand but also expand export capabilities.
