On December 26, 2006, B. Y. Sovetov, Full Member of the Russian Academy of Education, Hon. Scientist & Technologist of Russia, co-chairman of St. Petersburg's Scientific Council for Information Technologies, and Chairperson of the "Regional Informatics" international conference, awarded the commemorative medal "For Contribution to Society's Information Advance" to V. A. Akulich, General Manager of North-West Telecom.

The commemorative medal was instituted by the government of St. Petersburg to celebrate the 15th anniversary of the "Regional Informatics" international conference. It is awarded to originators of this international conference, and for merits in dealing with important challenges of generation of the region's information space.

Within the framework of the 10th (anniversary date) conference, the commemorative medal for achievements in the development of info/communication technologies was awarded on behalf of St. Petersburg Government to executives and key personnel of relevant committees of St. Petersburg Government, executives of major enterprises and companies specializing in computerization and communication, presidents of colleges and universities, and prominent scientists. Among those decorated are R. M. Yusupov, Director, St. Petersburg Computerization and Automation Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Corresponding Member of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Hon. Scientist & Technologist of Russia, and B. Y. Sovetov, Full Member of the Russian Academy of Education, Hon. Scientist & Technologist of Russia, co-chairman of St. Petersburg's Scientific Council for Information Technologies.

The commemorative medal "For Contribution to Society's Information Advance" was awarded to commemorate the personal input by NWT General Manager V. A. Akulich to the development of info/communication technologies in the region, and to recognize the importance of North-West Telecom in generating the information space of the North-West of Russia.