Roaming MTS in Russia canceled or not? Will roaming be canceled in Russia? Types of roaming in Russia

On August 13, the deadline expired by which mobile operators MTS, MegaFon, Beeline and Tele2 had to eliminate the extra charge for communication services in intranet roaming. So far, no company has done this.

Photo: Alexander Shalgin / TASS

Until August 10-13, the "big four" mobile operators - MTS, MegaFon, VimpelCom ( trademark"Beeline") and "T2 Mobile" ("daughter" of "T2 RTK Holding", operating under the brand Tele2) - had to report on the implementation of the FAS order to cancel the mark-up for subscribers for communication services in intranet roaming.

The markup is valid in the network of the same operator with which the subscriber has a contract, but outside the "home" region, that is, where it was concluded.

According to the requirements of Russian legislation, operators must notify subscribers of all changes in tariffs ten days before their introduction. But at the beginning of August, none of the Quartet participants informed subscribers about the change in the principles of tariffication in intranet roaming.

In the address of the operators of the "quartet" followed from the FAS in mid-July. The service considered that setting different tariffs for services cellular communication V home region and trips across Russia violates paragraph 6 of Part 1 of Art. 10 of the Law "On Protection of Competition", which prohibits companies in a dominant position from restricting competition by setting different prices for the same product without justifying it economically, technologically or otherwise.

“Moving to another region of the country, being in the network of its operator, the subscriber receives completely different price conditions than in the home region, and the more expensive the subscriber’s tariff plan, the smaller the difference in tariffs for cellular services at home and on trips for such a subscriber” , the FAS said in a statement. The FAS analysis showed that the prices for communication services (calls within the region, outside the region, SMS messages, data transfer) while traveling should not differ from prices in the home region. The service required operators to eliminate the unreasonable difference in each tariff plan.

Video: RBC TV channel

As a representative of the FAS press service told RBC on Friday, August 11, the service received information from operators "related to the implementation of the department's warnings." “Including petitions for familiarization with the analytical report based on the results of the market analysis. All materials come with the stamp “for official use”, therefore, they are not subject to disclosure,” he said. Whether someone from the "four" reported on the abolition of the markup, as well as other details, the representative of the FAS refused to report.

According to two RBC sources close to the Quartet operators, in letters sent to the FAS by MTS, MegaFon, VimpelCom and T2 RTK Holding, they ask the department to clarify the essence of the prescription. “It is not clear what tariff operators will have to apply to a subscriber in intranet roaming - the one that operates in his home region, or the one that operates in the region where the subscriber is in roaming. At what tariffs, for local or long-distance communications, subscribers will call their home region, at what rates within the region of stay, ”explains one of RBC’s interlocutors.

According to him, if it is decided that the subscriber will have to communicate in roaming at the tariffs that are valid in the region where he arrived, and if these tariffs are lower than those that are valid in his home region, it will be easier for the subscriber to buy new sim card. “The question arises of how to deal with fraud (fraud, unauthorized actions in the communication network. — RBC). In the end, all operators will equalize tariffs across the country, ”says a RBC source in one of the Quartet operators. According to him, the operators also turned to the Federal Antimonopoly Service with a request to increase the deadlines for fulfilling the order.

MTS spokesman Dmitry Solodovnikov said that the company "is in dialogue with the Federal Antimonopoly Service", but refused to disclose his details. Representatives of MegaFon, VimpelCom and T2 RTK Holding also declined to comment officially. The representative of MegaFon, Yulia Dorokhin, earlier said that it was impossible to change about 3 thousand tariff plans throughout the country within the period specified by the department. According to her, it will take "months, maybe years" for the operator's IT services to change.

At the same time, the FAS representative stated that the deadlines could be extended. To do this, operators must submit a petition to the Office, which will justify this need.

Head of Communications Regulation and information technologies FAS Elena Zaeva said earlier that if the operators do not eliminate the violations by the deadline, the service will initiate a case on violation of the antimonopoly law. After that, a commission should be created, and up to six months are allotted for consideration of the case. At the same time, the FAS has the right to use such an instrument as transferring unreasonably received income to the federal budget, Zaeva noted.

MTS, MegaFon, VimpelCom and T2 RTK Holding do not disclose how much they earn in intranet roaming. The CEO of TMT Consulting, Konstantin Ankilov, estimated the Quartet's revenue from roaming in Russia in 2016 at about 35 billion rubles. This is 4% of the total income of these companies.

Intra-network roaming of cellular communications on the territory of one's own country has always caused a lot of dissatisfaction and questions from users. This option is valid for absolutely all Russian telecom operators. No matter how profitable your tariff is, as soon as you cross the border of the region, which is marked as “home” by the operator, calls become shorter, emotions are more restrained, Mobile Internet no longer as interesting as at home. The concept of "roaming" appeared simultaneously with cellular communications: subscribers use, telecom operators provide. And only years later, the unexplained increase in the cost of a call when moving around one country interested the antimonopoly service. With such enthusiasm, the FAS set about studying the issue of financial profit of cellular campaigns when selling a service that allows a person to stay in touch, that it was planned to cancel roaming as early as 2017. However, this did not happen, and cellular operators do not want to lose this income item on their own. Will the Federal Service bring the work that has been started to completion? When will roaming in Russia be cancelled? From what date in 2018 will it be possible to move around the country without fear of being left without communication?

Types of roaming provided by mobile operators in Russia

Operators selling cellular services offer their subscribers three types of services

• intranet roaming,
• national roaming,
• roaming on the Crimean peninsula.

The roaming service within the network has always raised the most questions: the subscriber is within the boundaries of the operating stations of the same operator, but, leaving his "home" region, uses the same communication services at a higher price. The FAS considers the increase in the cost of intra-network roaming calls to be completely unreasonable. Having shown curiosity, you can find tariffs from your operator that do not divide calls into “home” and “calls in roaming”, as a rule, these are “VIP” or “Business” tariff plans.

The so-called national roaming is easier to explain from an economic point of view. Being in a region where the native operator has not built its network and cannot provide its client with a communication service, the subscriber uses the capacities provided by another operator for this.

In this case, the operator providing the opportunity to communicate by phone is not chosen by the subscriber himself, but again by the “native” operator. This is due to the mutual provision of their services by two operators to each other, naturally, at the expense of the subscriber.

Roaming in Crimea is the same national roaming. The only difference is that there are no well-known operators providing mobile communication services on the peninsula. On the territory of Crimea, there are no branches of large companies of any industry of world importance at all. They closed their representative offices after Crimea became Russian territory, and explain their action by international sanctions that have been imposed on the occupied territory of Crimea. Coming out of the current situation, Russian operators conclude agreements on cooperation and mutually beneficial provision of services with small local cellular communication companies. Invests this cooperation again, the subscriber.

The Federal Antimonopoly Service and the Ministry of Telecom and Mass Communications, which are designed to take care primarily of the interests of users of communication services, argue that in 2018 it is planned to cancel the intranet and national types of this service. How the aforementioned ministries will convince mobile operators to provide each other with the opportunity to use their networks free of charge is not yet clear, but this should no longer fall on the shoulders of the subscriber.

The operators, having familiarized themselves with the requirements of the FAS, expressed their readiness to revise the tariffication of intra-network roaming and provide free incoming calls throughout Russia. Thus, it is planned to build a single telecommunications space across the country.

When to wait for the abolition of roaming in Russia in 2018

At the end of last year, the Ministry of Telecom and Mass Communications promised to come to grips with the abolition of roaming in the first half of 2018. If everything goes smoothly, roaming within Russia will be canceled by July 1st.

The promise will be kept by this date or earlier, the ministry does not say.

In turn, the FAS, reporting to the media, reports on the work carried out with mobile operators. Much attention in this moment given to intranet roaming. Operators who fail to comply with the order are subject to disciplinary action.

To cancel roaming within the same network, operators have been given the following deadlines:

• Beeline, Megafon and MTS cancel roaming until the end of January 2018
• Tele-2 can provide the service until the end of May 2018

In fact, not all operators have taken action to cancel the inexplicable intra-network roaming service, continuing to make easy profits from frequently changing regions of subscribers.

Regarding national roaming, legal proceedings have been initiated against some telecom operators. After analyzing the cost of services provided by cellular companies for the implementation of national roaming services as artificially high, the antimonopoly service saw this as a conspiracy to make a profit.

FAS employees are convinced that starting from mid-summer of this year, Russians will think about connecting roaming only when leaving the territory of our country, and types of roaming within their country, and especially their operator, will sink into oblivion.

From the "big four" cellular operators to reduce roaming prices. According to the FAS, different tariffs for cellular services in the home region and when traveling in Russia are unreasonable and violate competition law. The agency warned Beeline, MTS, Megafon and Tele2 about the need to change tariffs for travel communication services, eliminating unreasonable price differences.

The Village understands what the FAS decision means and when to wait for the abolition of roaming in Russia.

background

At the end of 2016, the FAS formed working group, which was attended by representatives of mobile operators, the Ministry of Telecom and Mass Communications, the Ministry of Economic Development and Rospotrebnadzor. The group discussed possible scenarios for abolishing roaming in Russia. At the same time, operators offered to introduce separate tariff plans for subscribers.

However, by March, the antimonopoly service did not detect any active actions on the part of the operators and launched an investigation, having studied the technology for providing communication services. As a result, the FAS came to the conclusion that the difference in tariffs is economically and technically unjustified, so the agency issued a warning against different prices for the same service.

What does the FAS warning mean?

The warning of the antimonopoly service is aimed at canceling intra-network roaming - a situation where a subscriber, leaving for another region, remains in the communication network of his operator. In this case, we are talking only about local calls. So, according to the FAS, a subscriber with a Moscow SIM card who ends up in Khabarovsk should be able to call local Khabarovsk numbers at home tariffs.

Separately, it is worth noting that the law directly provides for the right of operators to charge for incoming calls if the subscriber has left for another numbering zone. Thus, the proposed price reduction will only affect outgoing calls from subscribers within their own operator's network. However, the FAS is already planning to amend the legislation in order to completely abolish intra-network roaming.

Besides, by the end of the week the antimonopoly service plans to express a separate position on national roaming - situations when a subscriber, leaving for another region, gets into the network of another operator. So, some operators do not provide services in all countries: the Tele2 network, for example, covers about half of the regions.

For this reason, the FAS issued a warning only to federal operators - regional networks, such as Yekaterinburg Motiv or Chechen Vainakh Telecom, will not be affected by the changes. In fact, regional operators have to serve subscribers in another region as if abroad, since in this case they are in a foreign network and are served by a local operator.

However, according to representatives of the FAS, getting subscribers into the network of other operators is rather an exception, since the networks of the three main Russian operators - Beeline, MTS and Megafon - cover almost the entire country, with the exception of Crimea. For this reason, roaming in Crimea may continue due to the costs of operators for making a call outside their own networks.

When to wait for roaming cancellation

Operators must change the terms of tariff plans within 14 days of receiving the notification. After that, they are obliged to notify subscribers about the changes - 10 days before the introduction of tariffs. Thus, if the operators agree to comply with the decision of the antimonopoly service, intranet roaming will be canceled after 24 days.

If the operators refuse to comply with the FAS requirement, the cancellation of roaming may be significantly delayed. First, the department will initiate a case on violation of antitrust law within 10 days. After that, a commission will appear, which will consider the case from three to six months. In turn, operators can appeal against the decision of the commission in court, which will suspend the execution of the FAS order for the entire time the case is being considered by the courts of first instance and appeal. In this case, the cancellation of roaming will have to wait more than a year.

What the operators say

MTS, Tele2 and Beeline were not ready to comment on the prospect of abolishing roaming. Representatives of MegaFon stated that they do not yet fully understand the position of the FAS, and noted that roaming does not affect the majority of network subscribers anyway.

"Megaphone"

For MegaFon subscribers, roaming without roaming when traveling around Russia has already come a long time ago, since most of them use package offers. This means that the cost of communication services while traveling in Russia does not differ from the home region.

We do not yet fully understand the position of the FAS on this issue, we will study the text of the warning.

In accordance with Decree of the President of the Russian Federation No. 618, a decision was made to cancel roaming. If there are no towers in the territory of the client's stay, then the company incurs additional costs. They are associated with the use of equipment of other operators. The inflated tariffs became the reason for initiating a case against the four largest mobile operators in the Russian Federation.

Representatives of the Federal Antimonopoly Service issued a warning to the management of companies about the need to reduce fees for on-net calls. In fact, operators will have to cancel roaming. Organizations received a warning about the elimination of the difference in the cost of tariffs in the event that a subscriber leaves their region.

Roaming cancellation deadlines

FAS obliged the companies to change the tariff policy. Beeline, Megafon and MTS agreed with the requirement of the antimonopoly service and decided to completely abandon roaming until January 31, 2018. The exception was the position of the management of Tele 2. The organization will continue to charge additional fees for on-net billing until May 31st.

Updated! The State Duma approved in the first reading the law on the abolition of roaming in Russia. Thus, the cost for the caller and the receiver of the call will be the same throughout the country.

What types of roaming companies offer subscribers

In Russia, there are several types of communication services:

1. Intra-network roaming brings operators the biggest profit.
2. National roaming provides a person with the opportunity to use SIM-cards in places where there is no corresponding infrastructure. To provide the service, the company enters into an agreement with other mobile operators.
3. Clients use international roaming when leaving Russia. The operator must draw up an agreement with the country in which the user is located.

In Crimea, roaming was introduced due to geopolitical conditions. Western sanctions have closed the market for mobile operators providing communication services in Russia.

Important! Tele 2 will change the cost of the services provided until May 31, 2018. The rest of the players will review the tariffs until January 31.

What punishment awaits violators

FAS will control the roaming cancellation process. The Antimonopoly Service may initiate proceedings against any operator under Art. 10 of the Law "On Protection of Competition". Income received from subscribers illegally will be withdrawn in favor of the state. When will roaming in Russia be canceled at Beeline? The operator started the tariff stabilization process in December 2017.

MegaFon will start canceling intranet roaming in February 2018.

The management of MTS also decided to reduce tariffs for subscribers while traveling to other regions. The Tele 2 company only under the threat of punitive measures from the FAS turned to active actions.

What happens if roaming is cancelled?

Most customers are concerned that operators may raise existing rates. Roaming has been a serious source of income for companies. Analysts estimate the drop in operators' profits by several percent. Companies will have to take action to make up for their losses.

However, the FAS will not simply allow tariffs to be raised. Under such conditions, operators will offer users new options and services. Organizations can increase the cost of calls by taking into account the distance between customers.

Important! The Antimonopoly Service of the Russian Federation will take action against violators who will set inflated prices for calls.

The mobile operator reported to the FAS that the company could not immediately switch to new tariffs. Specialists need some time to adjust the cost of calls. When will roaming in Russia be canceled for customers who have concluded an agreement with Tele 2.

The operator promises to adjust the terms of payment for services by May 31, 2018. Now the cost of calls will depend on the territory of residence of the subscriber. From February 15, the operator will reduce prices for people who decide to relax in the Crimea. Tourists will pay for outgoing calls at 3 rubles per minute.

For text messages, the operator will remove 3 rubles from the client's balance. The cost of incoming calls will be 1 ruble per minute. The company will provide users with the opportunity to take advantage of preferential tariff plans. Before traveling, you must visit Personal Area and study the submission conditions mobile services. The client can get acquainted with the proposed tariffs using the short number *107#.

Moreover, roaming services are connected automatically. This does not require consent from the client. Before traveling to another region, it is better to check your balance. To do this, just enter *105# on your smartphone. For outgoing messages, the user will have to pay 3.5 rubles. In case of departure to another region, the client will be charged 5.5 rubles per minute of conversation.

To send MMS you need to pay 6 rubles. There are tariff plans that provide free minutes. Users are given the opportunity to communicate in roaming without restrictions.

How MTS will act in the new conditions

In February 2018, the company decided to adjust the cost of mobile services. The changes affected tariffs operating outside the native region. Thanks to the new conditions, users can significantly reduce their costs. Incoming calls from other operators will cost the client much cheaper than in 2017.

If earlier 10.9 rubles were charged from subscribers for 1 minute, then in 2018 services will be provided free of charge. Outgoing calls used to cost 14 rubles per minute. Now their cost has dropped to 5.5 rubles.

"MTS" decided to cancel roaming for customers who have connected the "Super MTS" and "My Friend" tariffs. Incoming calls for this category of subscribers will be free. The cost of outgoing calls will be charged at home.

What changes await Megafon subscribers

The mobile operator decided to change its tariff policy. The user may not pay for incoming calls when traveling within Russia. For outgoing calls, the client will need to pay 2 rubles per minute. The cost of providing Internet services for the user will remain the same as in their region. Moreover, Megafon will change prices in stages. To adjust the cost of services, it is necessary to revise about 3,000 tariff plans in force in the company.

Customers who have connected the service package have long been communicating on preferential terms while traveling to other regions. Subscribers who do not plan to change the terms of their current tariff plan can use the "Be at home" option. In this way, you can save money on communication services during your trip.

The first messages about Megafon's intention to cancel roaming appeared on the company's website on December 21, 2017. The operator will no longer charge for calls from local subscribers. The cost of outgoing calls will not exceed 2 rubles. The user charges 15 rubles. day as a monthly fee after connecting the tariff "Be at home". The "All Russia" option will interest people who want to save on communication services. Incoming calls for such users will be free.

The cost of outgoing calls is 3 rubles. And the first connection will be free. The daily fee for using the "All Russia" option will be 7 rubles. "MegaFon" from March 12 this year will reduce prices for users located in the Crimea. The condition for reducing the cost of calls is the connection of the tariffs "Turn on" and "Go to zero".

Thrifty customers can connect the "Crimea" option. However, the subscriber will have to pay 15 rubles a day. For a minute of an outgoing conversation, customers will be charged a fee of 4 rubles.
The cost of Internet traffic will be 5 rubles. For sending an SMS message, the user must pay 3 rubles.

What are the plans of the company "Beeline"

In 2018, Beeline cancels roaming. Now users will be able to use communication services at home. The company's clients can use roaming to communicate in other regions of the Russian Federation. For example, the My Country tariff plan is beneficial for travelers. It reduces the cost of mobile communication. Outgoing calls will cost the subscriber 3 rubles. Moreover, for connecting the option, the company requires a fee of 25 rubles.

The cost of providing the service "My Intercity" is 3 rubles per minute. Negotiations between Beeline subscribers are not charged. Mobile Internet in case of departure to another region will have to be activated separately. The operator decided not to include this option in most tariff plans.

The reasons for this approach is that not all customers use the mobile Internet while traveling in transport. Many people go on business trips that last only a few days. The cost of services depends on the amount of information that the user is going to download monthly.

Clients are provided with 2 options for mobile Internet:

1. After a call to the short number *115*051#, the user gets the opportunity to connect to the Internet with a daily payment. For each day of using the service, a person will have to pay 7 rubles. This service is convenient because it can be used during a short trip. At the same time, there is no need to overpay for a large amount of traffic.
2. What should clients who plan to leave for a month do? Users can connect mobile internet by calling *115*061#. After connecting, the client gets the opportunity to download up to 4 GB of information per month.

People who like to travel to various Russian regions will be interested in the My Country option. The cost of outgoing calls under this tariff is 3 rubles. The client does not have to pay a subscription fee. However, when connecting the service, 25 rubles will be deducted from his account.

Conclusion

High tariffs for communication services interested the antimonopoly service. FAS issued an order mobile operators about canceling roaming. Companies must revise their tariffs by January 31st. Management will have to review their rates and decide on a billing system. Under these conditions, many subscribers are afraid of higher prices for communication services.