Russia Plans To Turn Internet Into State-Controlled Infrastructure Intelligence

(MENAFN- UkrinForm) That is according to Ukraine's Foreign Intelligence Service, Ukrinform reports.

Instead of outright blocking, the plan foresees gradual economic and licensing pressure that ordinary users will feel over time – through higher bills, poorer connection quality, and a lack of alternatives.

A key initiative, according to intelligence data, is the introduction of charges for international internet traffic for mobile subscribers. The rate is expected to be around $2 per gigabyte.

"Officially, this is presented as a change in the pricing model, but the real goal is to make continuous VPN use financially unbearable. An average active user consumes 25-30 GB per month, and if a VPN is constantly enabled, all of this traffic may be classified as international – even if a person is simply reading Russian news or watching TV series," the agency said.

Intelligence reports indicate that telecom operators are technically unprepared for such a transition and have requested a delay of at least until September 1.

At the same time, Russia's Ministry of Digital Development is pushing for a radical licensing reform: the current 17 types of licenses are to be reduced to three, while financial entry thresholds will be significantly increased. A basic license would require at least $66,000 in capital, a universal license about $400,000, and a general license over $1.3 million. Currently, the minimum authorized capital for a telecom operator in Russia is around $134.

According to intelligence forecasts, the consequences for the market will be devastating: out of more than 4,200 existing broadband providers, only a small fraction will be able to meet the new requirements.

More than 90% of small providers – internet companies, cable TV operators, and regional firms – will face the threat of liquidation or acquisition. The market will consolidate around a few large federal structures, effectively placing it under direct state control.

Read also: Intel: Russians face mass layoffs this summer

Separately, Russia is considering banning the provision of telecom services by individual entrepreneurs and companies that have not installed SORM, a system of operational investigative measures that grants the Federal Security Service direct access to traffic and subscriber data. Previously, operators were given up to two years to implement SORM. The new rules could significantly shorten this timeframe.

Among other measures, the Ministry of Digital Development intends to reinstate scheduled inspections of telecom operators, despite a moratorium in place until 2030.

As reported, Russian authorities also plan to introduce financial restrictions on VPN services, which would make free access to the internet expensive and inaccessible for many citizens.

Photo: Freepik

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