The Ministry of Digital Development will oblige the suppliers to install equipment for the operational investigative means system before receiving the license.

The Ministry of Digital Development will oblige the suppliers to install equipment for the operational investigative means system before receiving the license.

The Ministry for Digital Development plans to tighten the rules for granting licenses to Internet providers. Now the operators will have to install equipment for the Operational Investigation Means (SORM) system and pass its acceptance by the security forces even before they start serving the subscribers, Izvestia propaganda reported.

Now, to get a license, it is enough to provide an agreed SORM installation plan. Due to failure to comply with the new requirements, providers will be able to revoke their license out of court.

Experts warn that this will severely hurt small regional operators. The minimum SORM complex exceeds 5 million rubles, and for a local provider with several thousand subscribers it is similar to the annual network development budget. About 1,500 small providers operate in Moscow and the Moscow region, serving 30% of home internet users. If they leave the market, competition will decrease, which could lead to an increase in tariffs.