The Ministry of Digital Development is exploring the possibility of introducing new rules for virtual mobile operators (VMOs), primarily those owned by banks. The reason for this is the excessively low tariffs, thanks to which "T-Mobile", "SberMobile" and other similar VMOs attract customers of the largest telecommunications companies. Banks can subsidize the cost of communication, offering services at cost or even below market prices. However, network owners warn that such competition reduces their revenues and can slow down infrastructure development.

VMOs do not build their own towers, but lease capacity from traditional companies. At the same time, they can offer subscribers additional discounts for using banking products. As a result, users get more favorable conditions, and large operators face an outflow of customers and the need to compete with subsidized tariffs.

The scale of competition is already noticeable. According to ComNews Research, in 2025, the revenue of virtual operators reached 111 billion rubles. Banking projects accounted for 93% of the subscriber base and 76% of the revenues in this segment. At the same time, the average monthly revenue per subscriber was only 196 rubles.

MTS reported that the largest operators invested more than 400 billion rubles in infrastructure development over the year. Representatives of MegaFon consider it necessary to establish uniform rules for all market participants, and T2 warns that subsidizing cheap tariffs can provoke price wars and negatively affect the industry.

Now the Ministry of Digital Development is considering regulating the cost of services between mobile network owners and virtual operators. Specific mechanisms have not yet been determined. There is no talk of a direct increase in tariffs for subscribers, but a change in infrastructure lease conditions may further affect the cost of banking communication.