MTS filed a lawsuit against the FAS for disagreement with the accusation of unjustified rate increases. After its growth by 20%, the department issued an order to reduce the fees to an economically justified level. MTS disputed the allegation, citing incorrect forecast calculations for the revenue-expense ratio.
The MTS’s claim against the FAS is registered in the arbitration case file, writes RBC. The operator will try to challenge the department’s accusation of unreasonable rate increases in court.
MTS increased tariffs several times in 2022: in January by 9.5%, in August by 8.4%, in September-October by 9.7%. Thus, the rates for the operator’s 28 million subscribers during the year increased by more than 20%. The operator justified its actions by rising inflation, electricity costs, investment in development.
In October, the Federal Antimonopoly Service recognized MTS as a violator of antitrust legislation in terms of unjustified rate increases. The company violated the interests of consumers, as it did not have sufficient technological and economic reasons for it, the FAS considered.
MTS believes that the FAS made a decision based on incorrect forecasts about the company’s revenue-expense ratio. The agency took into account the data for January-August 2022, but regular payments and basic settlements with counterparties are made in the fourth quarter.
Author:
Kirill Bilyk
Source: RB
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