Telecom Operators Face Fines for Not Installing Sovereign Runet Equipment
Since early September, Roskomnadzor has been demanding that telecom operators in the Krasnodar region implement Technical Means of Countering Threats (TSPU) under the Sovereign Runet law. According to the Telegram channel “OrderCom,” operators have reported that Roskomnadzor is threatening to suspend licenses and impose administrative fines for non-compliance with network requirements. The message states: “Roskomnadzor is demanding, in an ultimatum, that telecom operators install Technical Means of Countering Threats (DPI) for the Sovereign Internet: either sign the installation plan or say goodbye to your licenses. But the TSPU has no certificate! And the statute of limitations for liability for not providing information has expired!”
One of the major federal telecom operators confirmed these requirements to the newspaper “Kommersant.” Roskomnadzor did not respond to the publication’s inquiry.
Background on the Sovereign Runet Law
The obligation to install TSPU was established by the Sovereign Internet law, effective since November 1, 2019. These devices filter traffic and restrict access to banned websites. According to the Ministry of Digital Development, Roskomnadzor is supposed to provide companies with DPI (Deep Packet Inspection) equipment, with installation and maintenance funded by the government budget.
Details of the Requirements
Roskomnadzor is reportedly requiring companies to install EcoFilter equipment from RDP.ru, a company owned by Rostelecom, according to expert and “Escher II” Telegram channel owner Philipp Kulin. The agency also determines the required number of server racks and the bandwidth capacity of the equipment, as reported by “Kommersant” based on Roskomnadzor’s letters.
For operators, these requirements mean additional expenses. Dmitry Galushko, head of the consulting company “OrderCom,” explained to the newspaper that to ensure 100 Mbps bandwidth for DPI, a small operator in Komi or Norilsk would have to pay up to 300,000 rubles per month to rent an additional channel, which in these regions can only be provided by Rostelecom.
Legal and Technical Challenges
According to Galushko, operators currently do not have the right to install TSPU, even under threat of equipment confiscation, because the law does not specify technical requirements for these network tools, and the equipment lacks certification or a declaration from the “Svyaz” certification system. Therefore, Roskomnadzor cannot accuse a company of violating its license.
If Roskomnadzor takes the matter to court, the operator can argue that it cannot install the equipment because it is still uncertified, says Philipp Kulin. Formally, installing uncertified equipment on a network could result in confiscation and fines under the law. However, Kulin believes that in this case, no fines will be imposed, as the requirement to install these specific solutions is a matter of “political will.”
Current Status Among Major Operators
Major federal telecom operators officially refuse to comment on the installation of TSPU. However, a source at one of these companies told “Kommersant” that almost all of them have already installed Roskomnadzor’s equipment. According to the source, in the mobile segment, MTS, VimpelCom, and MegaFon have complied, while in the fixed-line segment, Rostelecom and TTK have done so.