The Russian Ministry of Digital Development is considering using planned utility rate hikes as a benchmark for evaluating potential increases in mobile and fixed-line communication costs. Minister Maksut Shadaev stated that the government seeks to balance service affordability with the rising operational expenses faced by telecom operators.
Operators are currently increasing infrastructure investments to replace foreign equipment with domestic alternatives and to enhance network security. These efforts include the installation of Russian-made base stations and compliance with critical information infrastructure protection requirements.
Despite a slowdown in mobile internet traffic growth, companies must continue network modernization. Currently, over 90% of inhabited Russian territory is covered by LTE networks. Operators are mandated to provide 4G connectivity in settlements with over 1,000 residents and along federal highways.
The Ministry of Economic Development forecasts utility rate increases of 11% starting July 1, 2027, 8.6% from July 1, 2028, and 7.6% from July 1, 2029. However, these figures are not fixed caps for telecom price hikes, and no final decisions regarding tariff adjustments have been made.
