The company will follow the examples of mobile leader MTS and VimpelCom, which operates under the Beeline brand, to establish a form of compensation for financial losses that the companies have suffered after lawmakers ruled to outlaw charges for incoming calls from July 1. Originally they had wanted to introduce a "connection charge" but industry watchdogs questioned the legality of the move.
"As a law-abiding company, we are ready to change the formulation ['a connection charge'] which runs counter to the law," MegaFon spokesperson Marina Belasheva said.
But she said the essence of the step would remain the same, meaning that the cost of a call would be higher regardless of the call time. The cost will rise by a minimum 50 kopeks with VAT ($0.019) and vary depending on the tariff plan and region. The reform will be gradually implemented from August 5 until 31.
Belasheva said the company thought the previous formulation of "connecting charge" would be more understandable for subscribers but decided to replace it after a public uproar caused by the three operators' simultaneous announcement on the move led to the Federal Anti-Monopoly Service and the Ministry of Information Technology and Communications suggesting it could be put under the legal microscope.
