Russia is building their own satellite-based internet in order to break free from US dominance. The system will involve a grouping of 130 satellites that will be launched within the period of next 5 years. Project codename is "Cheburashka" - a well-known Soviet cartoon character known for its big ears.<p>The news in Russian: http://nsn.fm/2014/06/24/rossijskij-cheburashka-ob-edinit-unikal-ny-e-otechestvenny-e-internet-razrabotki/<p>Video of the press conference (in Russian): http://nsn.fm/2014/06/20/chto-my-poluchim-v-rezul-tate-realizatsii-idei-rossijskogo-interneta-cheburashka/
To me it reads more like they are building their own global satellite network backbones. This will allow them to have a faster (and cheaper once they cover costs) internet access.
A Google Images search for "Cheburaksha" returns this awesome guy: <a href="http://www.1999.co.jp/itbig13/10130946a5.jpg" rel="nofollow">http://www.1999.co.jp/itbig13/10130946a5.jpg</a><p>He's apparently a famous soviet cartoon character: <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cheburashka" rel="nofollow">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cheburashka</a>
I'm curious if they are attempting to make a push for connecting Siberia, or if this is also due to an increasing userbase in Russia as well:<p><a href="http://www.forbes.com/sites/markadomanis/2013/05/18/russias-internet-use-is-exploding/" rel="nofollow">http://www.forbes.com/sites/markadomanis/2013/05/18/russias-...</a>