OREANDA-NEWS. FAS doesn't intend to limit the number of market participants in the implementation of eSIM technology, which makes it easy to change the operator. Introduce such restrictions proposed by the head of Tele2 because of the risk of competition from manufacturers of gadgets. 

FAS didn't support the proposal to limit competition from foreign manufacturers of smartphones for legalization in Russia eSIM (embedded SIM, SIM cards integrated into a smartphone, tablet, smart watch or any other device at the production stage). To get the phone number and tariff plan, the user of the device with eSIM just download the application of the selected carrier or scan its QR code, after which the settings for using the cellular network will be recorded on the eSIM - thus, there is no need to visit the mobile operator’s office.

“FAS is actively involved in the discussion of the use of eSIM in Russia. It is necessary to evaluate all the features of this technology. It does not intend to limit the number of participants in the FAS market - this would contradict the interests of competition, ”Elena Zaeva, head of the FAS Communications and Information Technologies Directorate of the FAS, referred to the Russian media through the press service. At the same time, she noted that only a Russian legal entity can be a telecom operator, that is, in order to enter the Russian market, foreign manufacturers will have to register a company here.

Russia's largest mobile operators, MTS, MegaFon and VimpelCom (Beeline brand), as told by RBC sources, opposed the legalization of eSIM in Russia. The technology will increase competition from virtual mobile operators (mobile virtual network operator, MVNO) and “reduce entry barriers for foreign vendors such as Apple and Google, who can offer cellular services at prices well below market prices,” one of the interlocutors said mass media.