In a statement posted on the government's official website Leonid Reiman said there will be over 46 million Internet users in 2008 compared to 35 this year while PC numbers would reach around 40 million compared to 31 million this year.
He said: "Next year a number of projects are planned for completion or for further development. Under a universal service program telephone installation in all residential areas will be completed, three new civilian satellites will go into orbit, and 3G communication will be available in the largest cities in the country."
Reiman said the IT market was very dynamic in Russia adding the software market would be worth 123 billion rubles ($5 billion) with IT servicing reaching 157.8 billion rubles ($6.4 billion) next year.
The minister also said the mobile market would develop further in the country and by the first half of 2008 customers using their cell phones would be able to pay for services, including parking fees, household maintenance and utilities payment as well as make consumer purchases.
