FAS is discussing the possibility of abolishing roaming across Russia with mobile operators

By the end of the fall, the Federal Antimonopoly Service invited mobile operators and relevant agencies to a roundtable discussion. The main item on the agenda was the possibility to cancel roaming across the country.

The next meeting is scheduled for December 20. By this date, the parties have to develop a certain plan of actions: operators to introduce changes to roaming tree, and regulatory bodies to devise  amendments to the current legislation.

Some major operators already expressed their position on the issue. VympelCom lines up with FAS, however noting that prior to roaming abolition, operators have to reduce interconnecting charges from today's 0,95 rubles to 0,2-0,25 rubles.

Tele2 is another provider that supports the initiative. With no transit network of its own, Tele2 is known to slightly have higher rates than other operators. However, it has already called off roaming charges for some tariffs: monthly fee covers all network calls, home region calls, and Internet traffic.

MTS remains more cautious in this situation, saying that the issue is too complicated to promote any radical changes. However, just like Tele2, it already offers subscribers a line of roaming-free tariffs.

Megafon's representatives have not disclosed company's policy yet. The Ministry of Communications refused to give any comments with regard to the discussion.

Тематики: Мобильная связь, Регулирование

Ключевые слова: ФАС, роуминг