According to Rosstat, the volume of communication services provided to enterprises of all types of activities increased by 13.6% in June 2026 compared to June 2025, and by 5.3% compared to May 2026, amounting to 276.8 billion rubles. In January-June 2026, the volume of communication services for enterprises amounted to 1608.9 billion rubles, which is 12.7% higher than the same period in 2025.
This is stated in issue No. 1687 of the monthly bulletin "Branches of the Russian Economy: Manufacturing, finance, securities. Communications and Information Technology" dated August 26, 2026.
The volume of paid communication services to the population in June 2026 amounted to 171.5 billion rubles, an increase of 2.6% compared to June 2025, and a decrease of 2.2% compared to the previous month. In the first six months of this year, the volume of communication services to the public amounted to 1016.7 billion rubles, which is 6.7% higher than last year's figure.
According to Rosstat's operational data, tariffs for information and communications services in the Russian Federation for June 2026 for legal entities increased by 4.1% compared to the same period in 2025, and by 2.1% compared to May 2026.
The volume of software development services in June 2026 amounted to 832.2 billion rubles. This indicator increased by 25.4% compared to June 2025, and by 2 times compared to the previous month. In January-June, the volume of software development services amounted to 3651.2 billion rubles, which is 37.1% higher than the total for the same period in 2025.
The volume of other IT services in June 2026 amounted to 220.2 billion rubles, which is 35.9% higher than in June 2025, and 30.7% higher than in the previous month. In January-June 2026, this figure amounted to 1070.2 billion rubles, which is 30.5% higher than in the first six months of 2025.
At the same time, the volume of paid IT services to the population in June amounted to 50.9 billion rubles, which is 16.8% higher than in June 2025 and 4% higher than in May 2026. The volume of these services in January-June 2026 — RUB 286.3 billion — was 15.8% higher than the result of the same period in 2025.
Starting from September 1, 2026, Russian mobile operators will begin accepting payments for communication services in digital rubles, Vedomosti reports. MTS, Rostelecom and Megafon will be the first to add a new payment method. The digital ruble will be the third form of the Russian national currency, along with cash and non-cash money. Digital rubles will be stored in a special wallet on the Bank of Russia platform, and not in commercial bank accounts like non-cash funds. The mass adoption of the digital ruble in Russia will begin on September 1, 2026.
In August 2026, it became known about the discussion in the Ministry of Finance of the Russian Federation of a project to significantly tighten regulation and a possible ban on the creation of new MVNOs. The initiatives are aimed at protecting the interests of the classic Big Four operators from price competition.
The proposals of the working group of the Ministry of Finance are divided into three blocks and include the establishment of a minimum cost of communication, a ban on payment with bonuses, speed limits, etc. If such restrictions are adopted by banking MVNOs, which actively dump, it will become much more difficult to compete with large telecom operators. We are monitoring the situation.
For a more detailed analysis, see Issue No. 1687 of the monthly bulletin "Branches of the Russian Economy: Manufacturing, Finance, Securities. Communications and Information Technology" dated August 26, 2026. The bulletin contains an overview of the Russian telecommunications and communications market, including mobile and broadband Internet, as well as digital TV and online cinemas; an overview of the Russian legislative framework and its changes affecting the industry; an analysis of the industry's performance; innovative strategies and areas of work of the Big Four operators and providers, including the development of 5G and MVNO, as well as their tariff policy. A brief overview of the stock market and the results of M&A activity are attached to the newsletter. The news of the largest companies in the industry is included.
