The Ministry of Digital Development of Russia has proposed raising the state duty for mobile operators providing communications services from 7.5 thousand rubles to 1 million rubles across nine license categories. The draft was published on the federal portal for normative legal action projects.
According to the explanatory note attached to the document, the higher licensing costs in the telecommunications sector are expected to deter unscrupulous operators and to foster a landscape of more reliable telecom companies that are motivated to deliver high quality and responsible service.
Yet, the ministry stated in an official Telegram channel post that the change would apply only to new operators, while current license holders would renew under the existing terms. Licenses would remain valid for up to five years after renewal.
In addition, the department proposed introducing a turnover-based penalty for operators that fail to implement operational search measures (SORM) systems. The rationale is that smaller providers often resist such installations in the name of cost savings, but the requirement is intended to be universal and must be met across all networks.
Quoted from the Telegram channel of the Ministry of Digital Development, the proposed penalty would range from 0.01% to 0.05% of the operator’s annual revenue from communication services, with a ceiling of 0.02% of the annual revenue from the sale of all goods and services, and would be capped at 1 million rubles, whichever is lower.
The ministry also floated the possibility of using warnings in lieu of fines in certain circumstances, marking a potential shift in enforcement style for newly licensed operators.
Another major change under consideration is a procedural requirement for operators to obtain approval of a network construction plan before receiving a license to provide communications services. The coordination of this plan would run through the Federal Security Service (FSB) of Russia. The ministry explained that new operators would receive an FSB visa for the network plan and would then apply for the license via Roskomnadzor with that visa in hand.
When extending an existing license, the act of commissioning SORM would be appended to the renewal application, or an action plan for implementing SORM, agreed with the FSB, would be provided as part of the renewal documentation.
Earlier, a major business daily reported, citing industry sources, that the summer period could see interruptions in mobile communications due to shortages of equipment. The report suggested that challenges might also affect the telecommunications infrastructure supporting rail transport and other critical networks.
Overall, the proposals reflect a broader trend toward tighter regulatory oversight of telecom operators in Russia, with an emphasis on strengthening national security measures and improving service reliability. Industry observers note that any changes will unfold gradually, with phased implementation and considerations for the competitive landscape as operators adjust to higher licensing costs and new compliance requirements.
Experts warn that while the plan aims to elevate the quality of service and deter unreliable actors, it may also influence pricing and market entry dynamics. The ultimate impact will depend on how licensing costs, enforcement approaches, and the SORM-related obligations interact with the operational realities faced by both new entrants and established providers. Stakeholders are watching closely as the public authorities continue to refine the framework and publish updated guidelines to accompany the draft measures.