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Russia unveils Internet traffic backup plan if exchange points in Europe get cutoff

According to Minister of Digital Development, Communications and Mass Media Maksut Shadayev, Russia’s main telecom provider has the necessary capabilities

MOSCOW, June 7. /TASS/. Russian Internet providers will redirect traffic via Asia in case they are cut off from international exchange points in Europe, Minister of Digital Development, Communications and Mass Media Maksut Shadayev said at an IT event on Tuesday.

"We have a plan that if Russian providers are completely cut off from international exchange points in Europe, Internet traffic will be redirected via Asia," he pointed out, adding that Rostelecom, Russia’s main telecom provider, had the necessary capabilities.

According to Shadayev, a precedent has already been set in terms of Russian operators being cut off from international Internet exchange points but European points are currently available to Russian providers.

The media reported in mid-March that the London Internet Exchange (LINX) had decided to disconnect Russia’s Megafon and Rostelecom. The companies told TASS that the move would not affect the quality of their services.

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