CrimeaPRESS reports:
The State Duma responded to information about a possible increase in communication prices next year. They believe that any increase in tariffs must be economically justified.
Deputy head of the State Duma Committee on Information Policy Anton Gorelkin appealed to the Federal Antimonopoly Service (FAS) of Russia with a request to check reports about increasing tariffs for cellular communications, the Internet and cable TV. According to Gorelkin, earlier there were reports in the media about a possible increase in prices by 10–15% in 2025.
The media again began to spread the story that next year tariffs for the Internet, cellular communications and cable TV will definitely increase by 10–15%, this time with reference to a survey of market participants. I asked the Federal Antimonopoly Service to check these statements. I understand the industry’s desire to increase prices, but by law such decisions must be economically justified– the deputy wrote in his Telegram channel.
As State Duma deputy and member of the Information Policy Committee Anton Nemkin noted, according to industry surveys, up to 95% of Russian operators providing mobile communication services, home Internet, pay television and telephony plan to increase tariffs in 2025.
Almost half of them can increase tariffs by 10–15%. Another 20% of operators can increase the price of services by 20%, Nemkin said.
Price increases may be due to objective factors.
The communications market in Russia is undergoing a major transformation. Firstly, the traffic structure has seriously changed. At the end of 2023, the consumption of communication services shifted towards the growth of Internet traffic against the backdrop of a decrease in the popularity of voice communication among consumers. Changing the traffic structure requires expanding the network infrastructure and increasing its efficiency. Without modernization, which requires investment, it will hardly be possible to provide high-quality and stable communications. Secondly, the industry faces acute issues of import substitution. In addition, starting from 2025, the introduction of fifth generation communications will begin in Russian cities with a population of over a million, which also requires additional investments.“, the deputy explained.
However, Nemkin notes, there are many cases of unjustified price increases for communication services.
Not long ago, the FAS ordered MTS to transfer 3 billion rubles to the budget. as “illegally obtained income”. Previously, the company raised tariff prices for 30 million subscribers at once. For all other market participants, the decision regarding MTS is a signal that the agency is ready to firmly suppress any attempts to violate antimonopoly laws,” Nemkin noted.
The decision to increase tariff prices should be dictated solely by economic and objective factors.
It’s one thing when a telecom operator is forced to increase communication prices due to rising internal costs and the need for modernization. It’s completely different when it comes to the desire to earn additional income. The latter is simply unacceptable; any price increase must be economically justified,” Nemkin emphasizes.
source: press service of the Russian State Duma deputy Anton Nemkin
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