The TransNet 2025 conference brought together leading experts and industry players to discuss key issues shaping the future of telecommunication infrastructure in Russia. One of the core topics was the role of MMTS-9 – a historic telecom hub that serves as a critical node in the Russian internet landscape.
MMTS-9: history and current challenges
Today, MMTS-9 plays the role of country’s primary telecom hub making over 480 carriers connected. However, it has become evident over the past two years that the resources of “The Nine” are operating at their limits.
What risks does this pose? Disruptions in the operation of MMTS-9 could lead to significant problems:
- for regional operators due to the loss of direct interconnections with other networks;
- for backbone carriers due to network congestion as traffic from regional clients will shift to transit.
Participants of the panel discussion resumed that the traditional approach of a single central platform for organizing cross-connections no longer meets the growing demands of the market. Moreover, there are now sufficient resilient data centers in Moscow and other regions, which alleviate the need to build a new “Nine” from scratch.
The Evolution of digital ecosystems: from connectivity to reliability
The digital economy requires stable and high-performance digital services, and for their operation, data nodes are critically important, where:
- Backbone networks of telecom operators converge;
- Regional carriers connect;
- Traffic exchange points (IX) are located;
- Content providers operate;
- Cloud providers deliver services;
- E-commerce platforms function;
- Corporate clients access services.
New telehouses are expected to have the significant presence of various carriers, scalability and growth potential within the facility, operator independence, and neutrality. Anastasia Neumann, Commercial Director of IXcellerate, also emphasized the importance of transparent pricing policies, 24/7 access to equipment, and the ability to provide high power capacity per rack
Data Centers: new opportunities for telecom infrastructure
Modern commercial data centers have long transcended the mere hosting of servers, evolving into full-fledged telecommunication hubs. With high levels of connectivity, reliable infrastructure, and optimal conditions for equipment placement, they are becoming ideal locations for traffic exchange points (IX) and the organization of multiple cross-connections, ensuring the continuity of business processes even in the event of failures in individual elements of the infrastructure.
Economic efficiency is another compelling argument in favor of creating new telecom houses at the premises of commercial data centers. Proximity to end-users creates new revenue streams for operators, significantly reduces latency, and enhances the quality of services provided.
In response to industry challenges, IXcellerate has announced special conditions for telecom operators looking to enhance their network connectivity within its campuses:
- Flexible terms and substantial discounts for colocation of communication nodes in dedicated telecom zones (MMR);
- Fixed reduced costs for cross-connections within and between MMRs;
- High-density racks with power capacities of up to 20 kW, with the option to pay for consumed electricity based on actual usage;
- Access to leading peering platforms.
Prospects: diversification and reliability
The TransNet 2025 conference highlighted that the future of telecommunication infrastructure in Russia is built on a balance between historical centers like MMTS-9 and new independent solutions. Telecom houses and data centers that can meet the needs of both largeplayers and small regional carriers are critically important, providing reliable, secure, and economically viable opportunities for growth.
As one discussion participant aptly noted, “The future of infrastructure lies not with a single central point but with a set of several independent and mutually redundant telecom houses.” This is precisely the path that IXcellerate offers, remaining a leader in data processing, ready to meet the new challenges and demands of the telecommunication market.