Russian Federal Operators Offer Regional Firms Subscriber Transfer to Shed SORM Costs

Federal telecom operators in Russia are proposing that small regional companies transfer their subscriber bases to them, in exchange for relieving those companies of SORM (lawful interception) compliance costs. This consolidation move, reported by Kommersant, would centralize surveillance obligations under larger operators, potentially reducing compliance burdens for smaller firms while expanding federal control over communications. The proposal's acceptance and regulatory implications remain uncertain.