In a recent update that has stirred the telecommunications landscape in Russia, MTS, one of the country’s largest mobile operators, has redefined the classification of virtual private networks (VPNs) by equating them with torrent services. This shift in policy means that users who wish to engage in private browsing will now face a daily fee of up to 87 rubles, or they must forgo encrypted traffic altogether.
New Tariff Structure
The operator’s website quietly unveiled new mobile internet tariff conditions, stating that traffic routed through VPNs will no longer be included in standard service packages. This change implies that users attempting to access blocked resources, connect to corporate networks, or simply secure their connections against data collection will incur additional charges.
MTS has adopted a broad interpretation of the term “file-sharing networks,” which now encompasses not only traditional torrent trackers and peer-to-peer (P2P) protocols but also VPN usage and traffic from certain multiplayer online games. This classification raises eyebrows among technical experts, as VPNs are primarily designed for data encryption and tunneling rather than for the mass exchange of large files. However, this legal framing allows the operator to exclude secure traffic from the already paid gigabytes by subscribers.
Financial Implications
The financial aspect of this new policy involves daily charges that vary based on the user’s region and specific tariff plan, ranging from 80 to 87 rubles per day. For this fee, users receive a quota of five gigabytes of specialized traffic. The billing system operates automatically, charging users only on days when they actively use a VPN client, download torrent files, or play specific online games via mobile networks. Once the daily limit is reached, connection speeds are significantly reduced, compelling users to either wait for the next day or purchase additional data packages.
For those who prefer to avoid unexpected expenses, MTS offers an alternative: users can preemptively block this service through their personal accounts or customer support. This action results in the complete unavailability of VPN connections while using mobile internet. Technically, this indicates that the operator’s equipment—likely employing deep packet inspection (DPI) systems—has learned to accurately identify the signatures of popular encryption protocols, enabling precise control over access at the individual user level.
Industry Context
Analysts in the telecommunications sector link MTS’s initiative to two concurrent global trends. Firstly, Russian telecom operators are under immense pressure to find new monetization strategies amidst rising costs for network equipment, logistical challenges, and overall infrastructure maintenance expenses. The market has previously witnessed similar tactics, such as attempts to charge for mobile hotspot sharing, which were ultimately revoked following intervention from the Federal Antimonopoly Service. The restriction on VPNs appears to be a new chapter in the quest for increased average revenue per user (ARPU), where users are asked to pay for any non-standard network loads.
Secondly, the imposition of fees for VPN services aligns with government policies aimed at limiting circumvention of internet restrictions. As Roskomnadzor routinely blocks popular protocols at the level of technical countermeasures, the introduction of additional financial barriers by providers serves as yet another filter for the average user. For many subscribers, a monthly surcharge exceeding two thousand rubles for regular VPN access may prove to be an impractical expense.
It remains uncertain whether other members of the “big four” telecom operators will follow MTS’s lead. Historically, successful revenue-enhancing strategies implemented by one major player tend to be adopted by competitors over time. The classification of encrypted traffic as a premium service could subtly evolve into a new industry standard, fundamentally altering the principles of net neutrality in Russia.
