The average minimum cellular fare in Russia in 2021 fell by 15 percent, showed data from Content Review. Previously, tariffs were at such a level in 2017. Prices in the low segment fell due to the abolition of unlimited tariffs.
The cheapest connection was in the Yamalo-Nenets district, the Magadan region, the Khanty-Mansiysk district, the Sakhalin region and Moscow. Mobile services were most expensive than in 2021 in Chechnya, Kabardino-Balkaria, Ingushetia, Karachay-Cherkessia and Dagestan. The head of Content Review Sergey Polovnikov indicated that in addition to the refusal of unlimited tariffs, the minimum package of services contributed to the Special New Year offers Tele2 and MTS with large Internet traffic packages at the federal level. “This made it possible to increase the availability of communication in the regions where the tariffs were traditionally high,” he says. In Tele2, the cellular communication in Russia remains one of the most cheapest in the world while maintaining a high level of quality, and also stated that the reason for the reduction of prices for the minimum package has become rigid competition. “
However, in the upper price segment, the tariffs were increased. For example, MTS in early January notified part of customers to increase the cost of tariffs from January 17 by 60 rubles, and Beeline at the end of December raised prices for a number of tariffs in the Yaroslavl region and Krasnodar Territory. MTS explains the price increase in the fact that it has become more expensive to contain and build networks. In addition, the electricity and services of external contractors increased in price. The head of the Content Review of Polovnikov believes that the main goal of action in a high price segment is to force subscribers to go to subscriptions, including their online cinemas and other content services. Raising tariff prices will result in “use a tariff without any included subscription will be simply unprofitable,” he said.
The intention to raise prices operators warned in December 2021. Then the midnight explained that the costs of mobile service providers are growing, and revenues are reduced. Companies are required to fulfill the requirements of the “Summer Law” (store telephone conversations, SMS and Internet traffic of users for a period of 6 months), and also prepare for the introduction of free access to socially significant sites. In addition, operators must constantly invest in the development of networks due to an increase in traffic consumed.