Several Russian telecom operators are holding talks over creating a 5G consortium to deploy networks more cost-effectively using locally manufactured equipment and infrastructure.
Kommersant reported that operators Rostelecom and MegaFon are in discussions with state-owned Rostec, and that a joint venture could launch as early as March 2019 – although it appears that the operators are keen for cooperation whether Rostec is involved or not.
Alexander Gorbatko, the deputy head of the Department of Information Technologies of Moscow, warned Kommersant that such a venture could come to monopolise the market. Gorbatko said: “the unified platform carries the risks of lack of competition and, as a result, high prices for residents and consumers, lack of operator flexibility and monotonous services”.
However, he acknowledged that “creating communication networks on the basis of a single infrastructure operator will allow all market players to reduce costs.”
