Small internet providers in Russia may lose up to 60% of their revenue by switching to a new cooperation scheme with federal operators. As Kommersant found out, Rostelecom and TransTeleCom offer regional companies service agreements that will reduce costs and avoid some regulatory requirements. However, in return they will have to sacrifice a significant part of their business.
According to Rostelecom's proposal, local providers will transfer subscribers, communication lines, and technical support to it, retaining only 30–40% of their revenue. But they will no longer have to independently pay a number of mandatory expenses, including SORM equipment, which can cost up to 15 million rubles per year. TransTeleCom offers a similar scheme that allows working without its own license.
The reason for such proposals is the upcoming communication reform. The Ministry of Digital Development plans to tighten requirements for operators, including minimum internet speed and the possibility of license revocation without trial for repeated violations. For small companies, the new rules may be too costly.
However, representatives of regional providers consider the proposed conditions unprofitable.
Operators in them actually become installers, and Rostelecom takes over the subscribers.
Rostelecom confirmed that it is already discussing such cooperation with some companies. Participation remains voluntary, but experts believe that for some small providers the choice may be difficult: to give up most of their income to a federal player or close the business altogether.