The Federal Antimonopoly Service did not recognize information about unlimited internet in roaming, posted on the websites of the largest Russian operators, as advertising. Earlier, public activists complained that such offers could mislead subscribers: the internet indeed does not disconnect, but after a certain amount of traffic, its speed sharply drops.
The Association of Professional Users of Social Networks and Messengers filed a complaint. The claims concerned offers from Beeline, MegaFon, MTS, and T2. According to the association, after the high-speed package is used up, the speed drops to 128–512 Kbit/s, and sometimes additional payment is required to restore it. At minimum values, watching videos, downloading files, and even opening some websites become difficult.
However, the FAS considered that the information on the official websites of operators is for reference purposes and does not fall under the advertising law. The companies themselves explain that by unlimited they mean the absence of restrictions on the total volume of traffic, and not a constant maximum speed. According to them, the relevant conditions are specified in the service descriptions.
Public activists disagreed with this approach and intend to seek further consideration of the complaint. Lawyers point out that the claims concerned not only tariff pages, but also advertising banners, mailings, and other materials that the FAS did not evaluate separately.
Thus, the question of the admissibility of such promises specifically in advertising remains open. For now, subscribers should carefully check not only the declared unlimited, but also the volume of traffic at maximum speed, the conditions for its further use, and the cost of additional packages.