"This is degradation": Regional internet providers are sounding the alarm over the Ministry of Digital Development's reform.
There are approximately five thousand operators providing communications services in Russia—mostly small regional companies selling cable internet and television access. However, following the tightening of regulations being prepared by the Ministry of Digital Development, this figure has dropped. will decrease factor of.
Instead of a license, which currently costs one million rubles, the government plans to introduce a complex permitting system: companies will have to pay between one and 50 million rubles for the right to operate in the communications services sector. Furthermore, they will be required to have authorized capital of between five million and one billion rubles.
Also, companies that do not comply with the requirements for connecting to the SORM system, which collects data for law enforcement agencies, will not be able to provide communications services.
According to experts, several thousand companies serving over 50 million Russians will be unable to meet the new requirements. At least 27 regions will lose all regional operators, and another 22 regions will lose up to 70% of the local provider market.
At the same time, the state plans to take over networks from companies that lose their licenses and transfer their management to large operators.
“I asked why this draconian measure: to take away the license and at the same time all the operator’s property, that is, the business. We were told quite bluntly: we don’t see any other way to maintain communication for a significant number of subscribers.»
— the head of the Association of Alternative Telecom Operators recounted his conversation with representatives of the Ministry of Digital Development, Alexey Leontyev at the press conference "Reform of the Telecom Industry".
He believes that the redistribution of the market will reduce the quality of services and increase their cost.
"This is degradation. And this is, of course, a huge step backward in what we call 'digital equality.' This is a move towards digital inequality." — says Leontiev.
But it will be easier for the state to control the Internet.
"[One of the reasons is political] It's a 'white internet,' 'white lists.' Control over, say, 5-6 operators is simple: they were told, and they did it. But with smaller operators, it's more complicated." — expressed the opinion of the President of the Association of Small Telecom Operators of the Regions Dmitry Galushko.
Telecom operators have already collected approximately 10 petitions against the reform, but the Ministry of Digital Development, Communications and Mass Media still refuses to allow them to even discuss the bill, which is scheduled for adoption this fall.
