In a session led by Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin, discussions focused on advancing Russia’s communications sector through 2035. Reports from Kommersant indicate that government-affiliated operators signaled a 5 percent yearly tariff increase. The stated goal behind this rise is to fund modernization efforts and to maintain stable network operation. Officially, tariffs for communication services in Russia are not directly regulated. However, in April 2022 the Federal Antimonopoly Service issued recommendations advising operators to limit price growth to the level of accumulated inflation for the year.
During the previous year, the government rolled back several supports for the telecom industry. These included the removal of a preferential income tax rate, the suspension of contributions to the universal service reserve, and the winding down of soft loans intended for equipment purchases. The national strategy for developing communications up to 2035 highlights several challenges: Russia trails behind global benchmarks for fixed-network speeds, provider revenues have stagnated, and high capital intensity creates risks for telecom infrastructure and investment attractiveness.
The Ministry of Digital Development stated that tariff increases could be possible under a framework of safeguards. Key conditions include ensuring affordable access to modern communication services for all population groups, gradual and orderly tariff growth, and an agreed mechanism that guarantees meeting investment obligations to update the communication infrastructure.
Telecom operators have not provided formal comments on the proposed tariff increases. There is ongoing discussion about balancing the need for investment with consumer affordability and systemic reliability across the country.
Earlier reports suggested that retail stores might be allowed to operate with no charges on food distribution in certain contexts, though the details of such measures were not fully clarified at the time. Observers note that policy shifts in the digital economy can influence pricing, investment decisions, and the pacing of modernization initiatives across nationwide networks.