Russia to End Roaming Charges with Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, and Armenia by 2025
Russia to Cancel International Roaming with EAEU Members by 2025
Russia has announced plans to cancel international cellular roaming with members of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) – Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, and Armenia by the year 2025. This decision was reported by Eurasia Today, citing Vedomosti.
The Eurasian Economic Commission (EEC) sent a request to major cellular service providers in the EAEU states and the Ministry of Economic Development of the Russian Federation in March 2023. The request included an annex outlining the roadmap for the abolition of roaming within the union.
The EEC requested information regarding fair tariffs for cellular communication services in international roaming. Providers were asked to submit data on the usage, volume, and cost of cellular services provided to users from EAEU countries from January 1, 2020, to December 31, 2022, as well as information on the income generated.
The roadmap specifies that by the end of 2024, telecom companies must develop rules for the use of fair tariffs for communication services within the member states. By the first quarter of 2025, providers are required to reduce international interconnect rates and introduce appropriate tariffs for cellular services for users within the EAEU countries.
An MTS representative stated that while the plan outlines logical stages of implementation, the success of the initiative will depend on the cooperation of all participants. The representative also mentioned the possibility of a potential drop in income for cellular service providers as a result of this innovation.
Previously, cellular service providers had already reduced prices for roaming services in countries that had become popular among Russians following the partial mobilization in September 2022. Improved roaming conditions were introduced in countries such as Turkey, Kazakhstan, Armenia, and others.
It remains to be seen how this decision will impact both providers and users within the Eurasian Economic Union as the implementation progresses towards the goal of ending international roaming by 2025.
