MTS, MegaFon, and Beeline must provide LTE connectivity to all Russian settlements with more than 2,000 residents. Operators must complete coverage by March 31, 2027.
The new requirement is planned to be included in the conditions for extending the State Commission for Radio Frequencies' decision on allocating frequencies to the three operators. It will affect companies that do not comply with the established schedule for LTE network development.
However, this does not apply to settlements completely deprived of mobile communication. According to the Ministry of Digital Development, at least one operator is already working in every Russian settlement with a population of 2,000 or more.
The problem lies elsewhere: the infrastructure of individual companies is not yet available everywhere. The new requirements should ensure LTE network coverage by all three operators in settlements of the corresponding category.
A similar requirement was previously received by T2 operators. Now, LTE expansion will also affect the largest market players.