FAS initiates an investigation of communications operations
To reduce subscriber roaming rates, FAS will request information from communications operators about payments by subscribers travelling within Russia and economic justification of the fixed rates for the purposes of detailed analysis.
The 4th session of the Working Group took place on 30 March 2017 to discuss on abolishing roaming for travels across Russia.
At previous sessions participants determined the Road Map for abolishing roaming in Russia. First, by the end of QI operators were required to ensure a reasonable level of subscriber rates, comparable with domestic prices, for travels in Crimea: then the costs reduction must be achieved across the entire Russia in the so-called “intra-network roaming”. It was expected that the Road Map would be implemented in two Stages. Stage I (by 30 March): operators independently implement the drafted plans to reduce tariffs, using to this purpose their inner corporate resources as well as decreasing the inter-operator rates if necessary. The II Stage provides for forced measures from FAS if by 30 March 2017 the independent actions of companies failed to lead to the expected outcome.
On 30 March, the Working Group pointed out that package tariff plans and tariff options proposed by operators allow subscribers “not to get into roaming” travelling in Russia. Subscribers are actively shifting to the package tariff plans and tariff options: in 2016 the use of package increased from approximately 50% to 80% at the beginning of 2017. It means actual two- or threefold rate reduction: from about 10 RUB per minute to 3-5 RUB per minute.
Subscribers that use package tariff plans at 500 RUB per month effectively do not pay for roaming. At the session, operators informed about extending the line of package and optional tariff offers to interest subscribers that do not talk too much.
The operators exchanged proposals towards reducing rates in inter-operator settlements. Crimean operators were the first to reduce their inter-operator rates. As operators explained, the first decisions on subscriber rates would be made within the next 1 – 2 months.
Deputy Head of FAS Anatoly Golomolzin stated: “It means that with the beginning of tourist season when people will be actively travelling across Russia, particularly, to Crimea, they will be able to get communications services much cheaper than now”.
Another area of the Working Group’s efforts is improving the conditions for interaction between the operators. It allows cutting down the operators’ costs for the communications services to subscribers. The proposals towards simplifying the operator interacting procedure are forwarded to the Ministry of Communications.
At the same time, the roaming-abolishing measures that should result in reduced subscriber rates for travelling around Russia to the level of domestic tariffs are not fully exercised. The Working Group concluded that I Stage I is not completed.
The FAS objective is to ensure the rights of those subscribers that due to various reasons prefer post-payment (linear) tariff plans or options. For such subscribers the prices still remain excessive.
The Working Group continues its activities and considers proposals from operators on abolishing roaming in travels around Russia.