TECH

Russian telephone operators follow Brazil's example by exterminating unlimited mobile data plans

Russian mobile operators have begun to abandon tariff plans with unlimited access to the Internet. This trend is due to the decrease in the company's revenue and the increase in traffic consumed by users.
Since August 27, MTS has made adjustments to the terms of use of the “Tarifische” file rate. Users can continue to use the tariff with unlimited Internet, but with an increase in the subscription fee. At the same time, they have the opportunity to switch to the new version of the tariff, keeping the same price as the package, but only 30 GB of Internet traffic per month.
For example, in Moscow, “Tarifische”, which was launched in 2018, initially cost 650 rubles per month and included an unlimited mobile Internet package. Thereafter, the cost of the tariff was increased to 675 rubles per month and, taking into account the new changes, users will have to pay 750 rubles per month. The MTS explains this decision by the fact that about 75% of unlimited tariff users consume 12-15 GB of traffic monthly, that is, pay for what they do not use.
The operator Tele2 closed the service “Muita Internet” to connect individuals since August 26th. It was available for some tariff plans and allowed the use of unlimited Internet for 200 rubles per month. Subscribers who were able to connect to the service will be able to continue using it, but if it is disconnected, they will not be able to reconnect it. Tele2 explained that the spread of unlimited tariffs leads to the fact that traffic grows faster than revenue and in a non-linear manner, and the load on the network also increases.
The press service of VimpelCom (brand Beeline) stated that unlimited tariffs have a negative impact on the market and its popularity is due more to the marketing tools than to the real needs of customers.
The press services of Megafon, Yota and VTB Mobile reported that in the near future the companies do not intend to cancel tariffs and options that allow unlimited access to the Internet. However, VTB Mobile did not rule out that the company's policy on the matter could be revised. SberMobile declined to comment on the matter, but according to available data, the operator started charging video traffic on the VKontakte social network to users of the Social Networks service.
According to experts, the change in the policy of telecommunications operators in relation to tariffs with unlimited Internet is due to the drop in company revenues and the increase in the volume of traffic consumed amid the coronavirus pandemic.

AVnews