Rostelecom Builds Redundant Fiber Link in Arkhyz
The new 50-kilometer line delivers 10 Gbps of capacity, strengthening connectivity in one of Russia’s key mountain tourism hubs.
Prioritizing Remote Regions
Rostelecom continues to upgrade the resilience and performance of its network infrastructure, with remote and tourism-driven regions remaining a strategic focus. To increase reliability, the operator is deploying not only primary backbone routes but also fully redundant lines.
The company has completed construction of a backup fiber-optic communication line in the village of Arkhyz in the Karachay-Cherkess Republic. The new link offers throughput of 10 gigabits per second. Fiber cables were laid across 50 kilometers, connecting the settlement of Nizhnyaya Yermolovka to the Romantik resort area, with the termination point located in the building of the Arkhyz management company. The channel is designed to ensure business continuity in the event of a primary line failure. In case of disruption, traffic will automatically switch to the резерв route, allowing subscribers to continue using services without interruption.
“By deploying a redundant fiber route in Arkhyz, Rostelecom is reinforcing the resilience of the resort’s digital backbone. Ensuring uninterrupted access to communications services is especially important in mountainous terrain and under conditions of natural disruptions that previously caused frequent outages. Building a backup backbone in such complex territory using the company’s own investment demonstrates Rostelecom’s strategic approach to developing digital solutions in the tourism and recreational sector and in remote regions. This will undoubtedly improve service quality and support the rollout of modern infrastructure projects,” said Roman Zavyazkin, Director of Rostelecom’s Stavropol branch.
Overcoming Infrastructure Challenges
According to the company’s press office, the backup line was built under challenging conditions. Route design was complicated not only by mountainous topography but also by numerous crossings of highways and power transmission lines. Each intersection required additional coordination with infrastructure owners.
Rostelecom also recently announced the completion of another major infrastructure project. The operator deployed fiber-optic networks in five settlements in the Republic of Khakassia – Zhemchuzhny, Moskovskoye, Chapayevo, Novomaryasovo and Sovetskaya Khakassia. As a result, around 700 households gained access to internet speeds of up to 1 Gbps. The rollout was carried out under the company’s 2025 investment program.
Fiber to the Home and 4G Expansion
Cable installation was performed using GPON technology – fiber to the home – ensuring stable device performance while minimizing risks of congestion or unauthorized access. Technical teams configure equipment individually based on subscriber requirements to maintain service-level quality.
Beyond fixed-line infrastructure, Rostelecom continues to expand its mobile footprint. The company recently launched three new 4G/LTE base stations in settlements across the Stavropol region, enabling approximately 800 residents to access high-speed mobile internet. To commission the new sites, about 1.5 kilometers of fiber were laid to support backhaul connectivity.
“Network expansion and infrastructure development are critical steps in narrowing the digital divide between urban and rural areas and in improving overall quality of life,” Zavyazkin added.
Closing the Digital Gap
The project forms part of the second phase of the federal Digital Inequality Elimination Program, known as UCN 2.0. Over five years of implementation in the Stavropol region alone, Rostelecom has installed 43 base stations. The total length of optical infrastructure deployed under the initiative has exceeded 65 kilometers.
It is expected that not only Rostelecom but other telecom operators will accelerate deployment of communication channels in remote areas in the coming years, including building redundancy into backbone routes. The rationale extends beyond commercial interests. Resilient connectivity is essential to advancing Russia’s digital transformation and ensuring equal access to services for citizens across the country.
