International Exhibition of Information and Communication Technologies.
From April 7-10, 2026, the SVIAZ International Exhibition for Information and Communication Technology will transform Moscow’s Timiryazev Centre into the undisputed hub for telecommunications, IT innovation, and digital infrastructure across Eastern Europe and the CIS. Now in its 38th edition, this is not merely a trade show—it is the largest and most authoritative gathering of its kind in the region, serving as a critical barometer for an industry that underpins modern economies and societies.
A Legacy of Innovation Since 1975
To understand SVIAZ’s significance, one must appreciate its heritage. Founded in 1975, this exhibition has spent half a century chronicling and catalyzing the evolution of communications technology. It has witnessed the transition from analog telephony to the digital age, from wired networks to the wireless revolution, and now stands at the forefront of the 5G era, artificial intelligence integration, and the Internet of Things.
The 2026 edition arrives at a pivotal moment. As part of President Vladimir Putin’s declaration of 2022-2031 as the Decade of Science and Technology in Russia, SVIAZ has been formally recognized as a platform that showcases industry achievements and influences the development of the high-tech market. This official endorsement underscores the event’s strategic importance to national technological development.
A Marketplace of Scale and Substance
The numbers associated with SVIAZ speak to its scale and influence. The 2025 edition attracted 690 exhibiting companies from countries including Russia, China, Cuba, Belarus, South Korea, Singapore, Kazakhstan, and Iran, drawing a professional audience of over 14,000 business leaders, corporate decision-makers, and industry experts. The exhibition space spanned an impressive 33,000 to 40,000 square metres, demonstrating the event’s physical magnitude.
For 2026, expectations are equally robust. Organisers anticipate approximately 500 exhibitors and around 16,000 professional visitors, with over 3,000 industry representatives and 200 expert speakers participating in more than 40 specialized events. The event consistently attracts significant international participation, with China regularly forming the largest foreign contingent—at the 2024 edition, Chinese exhibitors occupied 1,540 square metres of exhibition space.
What makes SVIAZ particularly valuable for business is the quality of its attendees. Post-show analysis confirms that visitors come with specific procurement intentions, making the exhibition a genuine deal-making platform rather than merely a display window.
The Russian High-Tech Week Connection
SVIAZ does not exist in isolation. It forms the cornerstone of the Russian Week of High Technologies (RWHT) , a cross-industry platform that brings together multiple exhibitions, forums, and conferences focused on information technology, telecommunications, navigation, and telematics.
Running concurrently with SVIAZ 2026 are several complementary events, including:
- NAVITECH: The International Exhibition for Navigation Systems, Transport Telematics, and Geospatial Technology
- RENWEX: The International Exhibition for Renewable Energy and Electrification
This synergistic scheduling creates a powerful ecosystem where professionals from related fields can cross-pollinate ideas, explore convergences, and discover solutions that span traditional industry boundaries. The combined effect is a comprehensive showcase of the technologies building Russia’s digital future.
The Complete Spectrum of Communications Technology
One of SVIAZ‘s greatest strengths is its comprehensive scope. The exhibition floor presents a “full palette” of information and communication technologies, organized across multiple thematic sectors.
Communication Networks and Infrastructure
This sector forms the backbone of the show, featuring:
- Fixed, cellular, satellite, and fiber-optic communications systems and equipment
- Radio communications and wireless technologies
- Data networks and telecommunications infrastructure
- Antenna-mast facilities and towers, communication wells, and antenna-feeder devices
- Optical fiber cables and systems, data center equipment, and power supply systems
- 5G technologies and next-generation network (NGN) equipment
Digital Technologies and Ecosystems
This rapidly evolving segment addresses the software and systems that enable modern digital transformation:
- System integration services and solutions
- Cybersecurity hardware and software, including anti-spam and anti-virus solutions
- Internet of Things (IoT) devices and platforms
- Artificial intelligence (AI) applications and tools
- Big data analytics and business intelligence solutions
- Cloud technologies and virtualization platforms
- Augmented and virtual reality (AR/VR) systems
- Blockchain technologies and applications
Business Applications and Enterprise Solutions
SVIAZ dedicates significant space to the technologies that power modern enterprises:
- Enterprise resource planning (ERP) , customer relationship management (CRM), and supply chain management (SCM) software
- Document management and storage solutions
- System software, operating systems, and database management tools
- IT services, including outsourcing and consulting
- E-commerce and e-government solutions
- Educational technology and training platforms
Terminal Devices and Consumer Applications
The exhibition also showcases the end-user technologies that connect people to networks:
- Smart devices, including smartphones, tablets, and wearables
- Computer hardware, peripherals, and components
- Digital imaging and office automation equipment
- Display technologies and visualization systems
- Mobile payment systems and applications
- Smart cards and identification technologies
- Consumer electronics and accessories
This breadth ensures that whether one’s interest lies in core network infrastructure, enterprise software, or consumer devices, SVIAZ delivers a complete picture of the industry.
The International Navigation Forum: Where Minds Meet
Beyond the exhibition floor, the International Communications Forum serves as the intellectual heart of SVIAZ. This concurrent event brings together industry leaders, government officials, and technical experts for deep dives into the most pressing issues facing the sector.
The 2025 forum featured over 30 conferences and seminars on topics including:
- Digital future and the development of big data media
- International communications cooperation
- Innovation design and sustainable development
For 2026, attendees can expect similarly high-level discourse. The forum regularly attracts representatives from key government ministries, including the Russian Ministry of Digital Development, Communications and Mass Media and the Ministry of Industry and Trade, ensuring that policy perspectives are well-represented alongside commercial and technical viewpoints.
The presence of more than 30 Russian media outlets, including coverage from Russia Today (RT) and the Russian State Television network, which broadcasts the opening ceremony live, underscores the event’s public significance and its role in shaping the national conversation around technology.
The Russian Market: Opportunities and Dynamics
SVIAZ’s importance is inextricably linked to the market it serves. The Russian telecommunications sector is substantial and growing, with the market valued at 2.1 trillion rubles (approximately $250 billion) in 2024, representing 8% year-on-year growth. Projections suggest continued expansion at approximately 6% annually through 2025-2026, with the market potentially reaching $453 billion by 2033.
Several key dynamics characterize the current market:
User Base and Penetration
Russia boasts 263 million mobile subscribers, representing a remarkable 180% penetration rate. Smartphone adoption exceeds 80% , while fixed broadband penetration stands at 56% . The country has 104 million monthly active internet users, representing 85% of the population.
Infrastructure Development
4G coverage extends across major urban centers, though some regions, particularly in Siberia, continue to rely on 3G infrastructure. 5G deployment is proceeding through a “pilot plus domestic equipment” strategy, with Moscow and other major cities achieving over 60% pilot coverage . The government aims to deliver the first 1,000 domestically produced base stations in 2025, targeting coverage across 16 cities by 2030.
Satellite Communications
Russia has made significant strides in satellite communications, launching 412 low-orbit satellites that provide coverage extending to the Arctic Circle and remote regions. Concurrent efforts are advancing rural fiber-optic deployment and Arctic submarine cable projects.
Competitive Landscape
Three major operators—MTS, Megafon, and Beeline—dominate the market, collectively holding over 85% share. These players are increasingly diversifying into cloud computing and financial technology services. On the equipment side, domestic manufacturers like Qtech are gaining ground, with wireless access network equipment reaching 34% localization.
Policy Environment
The government’s Digital Economy 2030 program prioritizes 5G and data center development with substantial funding. The Sovereign Internet Law requires data localization, and biometric SIM card registration was implemented in 2025. Foreign participation faces certain restrictions, making partnerships and local presence increasingly important.
Why Exhibit at SVIAZ?
For companies seeking to establish or expand their presence in the Russian and CIS markets, SVIAZ offers a clearly articulated value proposition:
Increase Sales: The exhibition provides direct access to new clients, strengthens relationships with existing customers, and offers opportunities to re-engage with former clients. Importantly, it facilitates interaction with competitors’ customers, expanding potential market reach.
Raise Brand Awareness: Exhibitors gain concentrated advertising exposure to a highly targeted professional audience, enhancing brand recognition and memorability.
Build Positive Company Image: Participation helps establish and maintain a reputation as a successful, reliable industry leader while demonstrating technical expertise.
Ensure Sustainable Business Development: Face-to-face meetings with government representatives, potential partners, and key industry figures provide invaluable networking. Exhibitors also gain market intelligence through competitive analysis and direct feedback that can inspire product development.
Test the Market: SVIAZ serves as an excellent launching pad for testing Russian market niches, evaluating product-market fit, and gauging customer response before making larger commitments.
Why Visit?
For professionals seeking to stay at the forefront of their industry, SVIAZ offers compelling reasons to attend:
- Discover the latest technologies and innovations in the information and communications industry
- Access products from top Russian and international brands under one roof
- Expand business networks and connect with potential suppliers and partners
- Understand market growth trends and analyze competitive dynamics
- Enhance technical and managerial knowledge through the extensive conference program
Practical Information for Attendees
SVIAZ 2026 will take place at the Timiryazev Centre (Timiryazev Tsentr) in Moscow, specifically located at Verkhnyaya Alleya 6c1. This venue, part of the Expocentre Fairgrounds complex, offers modern facilities well-suited to a major international exhibition.
Operating hours are:
- April 7-9: 10:00 – 18:00
- April 10: 10:00 – 16:00 (or 17:00, depending on the source)
Admission is free for industry professionals but requires pre-registration through the official website.
The event is organized by Expocentre AO, one of Russia’s leading exhibition companies, with strong support from the Russian Ministry of Digital Development, Communications and Mass Media and the Ministry of Industry and Trade. It holds UFI approval, the global association of the exhibition industry, attesting to its quality and international significance.
An Invitation to the Digital Future
As the spring of 2026 approaches, SVIAZ stands ready to reaffirm its position as Eastern Europe’s premier communications technology event. For nearly fifty years, it has served as the meeting point where innovation meets commerce, where policy meets practice, and where the region’s digital future takes shape.
For hardware manufacturers seeking distribution, software developers looking for integration partners, service providers aiming to connect with enterprise customers, or researchers tracking industry trends, SVIAZ offers an unrivalled platform. It is where Russia’s communications past meets its future—in projects spanning 5G deployment, satellite constellation expansion, and the ongoing digital transformation of the world’s largest country.
The SVIAZ International Exhibition for Information and Communication Technology will take place from April 7-10, 2026, at the Timiryazev Centre, Moscow. For registration and the latest updates, visit the official event website.
