Costs for mobile operators could jump dramatically as they use LTE frequencies. Industry voices suggest a potential tenfold increase for some bands and a twofold rise for all other frequencies. The discussion is framed as a forward view by experts cited in a recent News report.
The publication notes that a major shift in operator costs could occur if the Ministry of Digital Development approves a new method for calculating payments tied to frequency usage. At present, 4G frequencies are treated as an emerging technology in many pricing models. If that status changes, operators may face higher charges that could filter through to consumer tariffs.
Observers expect that any uptick in operator costs would eventually reflect in the prices paid by users for mobile services and data plans in the market.
Earlier reports from Izvestia mentioned a move by major Russian operators Tele2, Megafon, and VimpelCom to restore the option for customers to distribute Internet traffic from their phones at no extra charge. This proposed shift would alter how data is shared within user plans and could influence public perception of value in mobile services.
There have been reports of fraudulent schemes connected to SIM cards circulating in the market. Such schemes underscore the need for robust security measures as the pricing and service landscape evolves.