The communication market is losing players: for the year the number of providers fell by 17%
Things could change even more
In Russia, there are significantly fewer telecom operators. During the year – from July 2025 to July 2026 – their number decreased by 17% and amounted to just over 7 thousand companies. This was reported in Roskomnadzor.
Along with the number of operators, the number of licenses decreased by 17%, to more than 21 thousand. Most often, licenses are terminated because companies simply did not provide services.
“The number of active licenses is decreasing annually, as the so-called paper networks leave the market,” Roskomnadzor said.
Things could change even more. The Ministry is preparing a reform of the industry: if the provider loses its license, its infrastructure and subscribers will automatically pass to federal operators. It is estimated that at least 33.2% of providers may leave the market after the reform.
Yaroslav Dubovikov, Executive Director of the Association of Communications Companies, reminded that having received a license, the operator must begin providing services within two years. If this does not happen, the license may be revoked. Previously, such cases were turned a blind eye, but now Roskomnadzor, together with the FSB, is actively checking the effectiveness of operators.
