Russian Mobile Operators and the FAS Decision on Internet Traffic Distribution
Russian mobile operators are set to comply with the order from the Federal Antimonopoly Service (FAS) to cancel charges related to the distribution of Internet traffic. In a discussion with RT, Igor Bederov, head of the information and analytical research department at T.Hunter, explained the implications of this move and what it could mean for subscribers.
According to Bederov, users who buy a limited Internet package should retain the freedom to manage that package as they see fit, including the ability to share or distribute Internet access to other devices. This perspective reflects a broader stance on consumer choice and the flexibility of service arrangements. The idea is that customers should not be penalized for sharing connection access within the boundaries of their purchased plan.
Not everyone in the industry welcomed the FAS decision. Denis Kuskov, chief executive of the information and analytics agency TelecomDaily, described the decision as unclear, arguing that it touches on the internal operations of companies rather than public market behavior. Kuskov noted that carriers have been moving away from unlimited tariff plans for some time, and that the practical aspect of Internet distribution may not be in high demand among all users. He framed it as a business model in which a single device could distribute access to others, potentially reaching 10 to 15 recipients, and suggested operators provided the FAS with justification for why this policy change is being pursued.
Kuskov added that operators could respond to the order by adjusting certain service parameters, such as reducing speed for users who distribute Internet access via delivery services. The practical effect would be to limit how widely the connection can be shared while maintaining overall service delivery to the primary account holder.
On September 18, FAS Russia announced that compulsory measures would lead to the cancellation of charges for distributing Internet traffic. In statements from the MTS department, as well as representatives from Megafon, Beeline, and Tele2, the current contracts with subscribers often included terms that imposed fees for distributing traffic from one subscriber device to others. The FAS decision aims to remove these negative terms and ensure fairer access terms for customers who need to share Internet connections across devices or household members.
In the wake of the announcement, mobile operators issued comments regarding the policy shift. The central point in their responses concerned potential adjustments to how traffic distribution is managed under the new framework, with particular attention to ensuring compliance while preserving the quality of service expected by paying customers. This change signals a broader movement toward more consumer-friendly practices and mirrors recent trends in how telcos balance network management with user autonomy.
Ultimately, the FAS initiative seeks to standardize the way Internet traffic distribution is treated in contract terms, removing charges that were previously attached to sharing within a household or small circle of users. The industry’s response to this regulatory move remains a topic of discussion, as operators assess the operational impact and the best way to implement these changes while maintaining service reliability. For subscribers, the reform promises clearer terms and more straightforward access to the Internet without punitive fees for sharing connections between their own devices.