Feature story

EBRD funds repairs of Moscow's Ostankino TV tower

Subscribe to feature stories email alerts

Related links Russia homepage Telecoms and Media homepage Ostankino Tower Repairs [Project Summary Document]

The tower is visible from most parts of the city.

Moscow's 485-metre Ostankino Tower is the second-tallest building in the world after Toronto's CN Tower. But the Russian landmark was diminished in broadcasting power, if not in height, when it was struck by fire in August 2000.

Since last December a $14 million loan from the EBRD has financed repairs to Moscow's chief telecommunications structure. The loan has helped improve TV images in the Russian capital. But it is bringing more than just better television reception.

Opening access

"One of this project's key covenants calls for open and equal access to the tower by government and non-government channels," says Michael Weinstein, the EBRD's operations leader for this project. "Privately-owned channels need guaranteed access to the tower to eliminate the perception that government channels get preferential access to Ostankino."

Besides encouraging fair competition, the project is also introducing commercially-oriented management of the 36-year-old tower owned by the Russian state. "The tower management will adopt international accounting standards which will also contribute to greater transparency in their financial operations," adds Michael, who is part of the Bank's Municipal Environmental Infrastructure (MEI) team.

Signal quality deteriorated considerably after a fire damaged the tower's transmitting equipment in August 2000. Many dishes on the tower had to be lowered to 149 metres, to less than a third of their pre-fire height. Transmission was restored relatively quickly but other structural damage caused by the fire was not addressed until EBRD financing was approved.

Improve fireproofing

This $14 million EBRD loan is helping replace lifts and bring fireproofing up to EU standards. The US Trade Development Agency also provided TC funding in support of this project. The work will ensure the Moscow region's main telecommunications tower remains operational and safe and make tower maintenance easier and more efficient. A consultant from the EBRD's telecom team examined procedures for running the tower and, alongside Russian authorities, devised a plan to phase out subsidies to state-owned broadcasters using the tower.

"The Russian government views this loan as a very important one. It may not be big in size, but it is seen as a first step in starting an important policy-dialogue about levelling media access to infrastructure in Russia," adds Mr. Weinstein.

9 April 2003