Tariffs of telecom operators for the use of the radio frequency spectrum may increase significantly in 2024. An increase is expected if the Ministry of Digital Development establishes a new principle for calculating this rate, writes Izvestia citing sources.
Currently 4G (LTE) frequencies are discounted as they are considered an emerging technology. But the new method does not include any discounts, says a source in the communication market. His words are confirmed by two interlocutors of the publication in government agencies.
In this methodology, LTE is not considered a promising technology, so the government no longer intends to encourage operators to implement it. Because of this, the cost of using frequencies can be multiplied by 10, the source warns.
The publication’s interlocutor in government agencies suggests that the changes will help attract an additional 20 billion rubles to the budget. These funds can be used to support social projects, for example providing Internet to small remote communities.
Today, Russian operators pay 15-17 billion a year for the use of frequencies. If the new calculation method is approved, the costs could rise to 30 billion, predicts a source close to one of the telecommunications operators.
According to the general director of TMT Consulting, Konstantin Ankilov, after the changes, companies will be forced to pay around 1% of their income for frequencies. This, in turn, can lead to an increase in tariff prices for subscribers.
Author:
Natalia Gormaleva
Source: RB
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