But only one in fifty workplaces has a telephone line and these lines can't be the base for new communication infrastructure, including for remote education. As such, it is an excellent example of conversion from military to civilian applications of high-tech industry. Of course, any kind of communication infrastructure needs investment for its development. In our opinion, Internet commercialization offers a promising approach today. There are many examples of commercial usage of Internet.
Internet provides information highway worldwide at reasonable cost.
This highway may be used by companies which lack the resources to use television or radio for advertising and supporting their products or services. Zelenograd, for example, has several electronic plants with research centers, and the Microelectronic Engineering University. So, developing network infrastructure will help to organize information exchange, and promote employment of highly-experienced scientists and engineers who are currently unemployed or have reduced salaries. Also information exchange will allow small companies to cooperate in carrying out large projects in area of companies specialization, common efforts coordination, accurate materials and components for output final production. The above examples are only indicative of what can be achieved by the Russia's high-tech satellite towns by taking advantage of the Internet and helping build a Russian distance education system.