MTS

MTS reports on the number of its employees with disabilities and discloses how it audits the accessibility of its workplaces.

The company supports digital skills development through its Mobile Academy (Network for All Ages) and MTS IT Camp programmes. The former provides free training to pensioners in Russia and Belarus on using the internet, and the latter teaches schoolchildren the basics of robotics, digital photography and videography.

No evidence could be found of leading practices in this area.

In 2019, MTS demonstrated support for open source projects by joining the Telecom Infra Project, which is developing technologies for open radio access networks. The company also partners with universities on projects relating to artificial intelligence, the internet of things, big data and digital health. Recently, it established a research centre to create open data sets. MTS launched a venture capital fund in 2019, enhancing its support for the tech innovation ecosystem and complementing its accelerator program for start-ups.

Given the scope of its operations, MTS should support initiatives for universal and affordable access to digital technologies and digital inclusion for women and girls. The company could also integrate more accessibility features in its products for people with disabilities. MTS could disclose subsidiaries’ economic value distribution among stakeholders. It used to report taxes paid by subsidiaries and should resume this practice.

MTS could increase the amount of information it discloses about initiatives that relate to digital skills development. The company has an opportunity to contribute to school connectivity.

The company used to report the number of data breaches, but stopped doing so in 2019 and should resume this practice. It should also disclose information about how it manages cybersecurity, its data privacy policy and mechanisms to protect children online.

MTS has an opportunity to disclose how it contributes to diverse, inclusive and ethical research. Specifically, it should report the number of women it employs in technical roles, and provide details about its research and development facilities and how it applies ethical considerations in its research.