Russian cos, regulators want universal communications svc updated

MOSCOW, Feb 22 (PRIME) -- Russian universal communications service system needs to be updated, the country’s telecommunications regulators and operators said at a meeting of the Russian Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs (RSPP) late Tuesday.

The current system of providing universal communications services was acknowledged ineffective, the participants of the meeting said.

Representatives of mobile operators suggested that the service should be available only where there is no other possibility to use telecommunication services, namely in small localities and remote areas. Moreover, Dmitry Petrov, a department director at major mobile operator MegaFon, suggested including mobile services in the universal communications service prompting operators to develop cell networks in remote areas. Licenses to provide universal communications services should also been tendered, according to MegaFon’s opinion.

Alexei Rokotyan, the director of a department of major mobile operator VimpelCom, proposed decreasing the obligatory contribution to the fund of the service, which presently amounts to 1.2% of the total revenue.

A commission for telecommunications and IT of the RSPP has decided to create a working group for developing reforms of the universal communications service. Any company and authorized body affiliated with the telecommunications industry is entitled to participate in the working group, which is expected to be gathered soon, Petrov said, adding that the working group may present proposals on the issue by the end of March.

Universal communications services currently include fixed-line services via pay phones in all Russian localities and Internet access services at public access spots in localities with a population of more than 500 people.

The Federal Antimonopoly Service’s (FAS) Deputy Director Anatoly Golomolzin said in late December 2011 that mobile operators should start providing universal communications services instead of fixed-line operators.

Communications and Mass Media Minister Igor Shchyogolev said in early October 2011 that the ministry planned to draft suggestions on the possible inclusion of mobile telephony in its list of universal communications services and submit the suggestions to the government in 2012.

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