The volume of communication services provided to enterprises of all types of activities in March increased by 2.6% compared to March 2022, and compared to February 2023 — by 5%, amounting to 197.3 billion rubles.
This is stated in issue No. 1522 of the monthly bulletin "Branches of the Russian economy: production, finance, securities. Connection" dated May 10, 2023.
In total, in the first quarter of 2023, the volume of communication services amounted to 606.4 billion rubles, which is 2.1% higher than the result of the same period in 2022. Tariffs for communication services for individuals increased by 9.6% in March compared to March 2022. In general, in January-March, the increase in tariffs for individuals amounted to 9.4%.
The Association of Software Developers "Domestic Software" asked the Ministry of Finance not to replace grant programs with soft loans and venture financing. This is stated in a letter sent to the Minister of Digital Development, Communications and Mass Media Maksut Shadaev. "Domestic Software" unites more than 260 Russian IT companies, including 1C, Kaspersky Lab and Doctor Web. This letter was a reaction to the recent statement by the Deputy head of the Ministry of Finance Maxim Parshin that the ministry will reduce the amount of grant support in favor of returnable forms of financing and non-state investments.
Owners of technological communication networks from September 1, 2023 will be required to store customer data for three years and provide access to them to authorized bodies. This is stated in the new draft Rules for the Storage by owners of Technological Communication networks, Transmission, and Processing of voice information, text messages, images, sounds, video or other Electronic messages and providing it to authorized state bodies engaged in operational investigative activities or ensuring the security of the Russian Federation. The document was developed by the Ministry of Finance in April 2023. However, experts believe that corporations are not financially ready to provide data storage systems now.
On April 4, the State Duma adopted in the first reading a bill on increasing fines for telecom operators for violations during the installation of operational investigative measures (SORM) systems. The document developed by the Ministry of Finance provides for the dissemination of the mechanism of negotiable fines. For the primary offense, the project assumes to charge 0.001-0.003% of the annual revenue from the sale of all goods (works, services), if the violation is detected again — already 0.01-0.03%. At the same time, the penalty for legal entities can be 2-50 million rubles or more. The document should enter into force on January 1, 2024. However, not only telecom operators can be guilty of not installing SORM, experts emphasize, the reason for the violation may be too long approvals with regulators.
For a more detailed analysis, read issue No. 1522 of the monthly bulletin "Branches of the Russian Economy: Production, Finance, Securities. Connection" dated May 10, 2023. 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. Review of the Russian legislative framework and its changes affecting the industry, analysis of the results of activities in the industry, innovative strategies and areas of work of operators and providers of the "big Four", including the development of 5G and MVNO, as well as their tariff policy. The bulletin is accompanied by a brief overview of the stock market and the results of M&A activity. The news of the largest companies in the industry is included.
