Russia will create a mechanism for the forced disconnection of civilian networks from radio frequencies

As it became known to Kommersant, the government has introduced an initiative into the strategy for the development of the communications industry until 2030, which involves the creation of a mechanism for sharing radio frequencies between law enforcement agencies and civil communications operators. At the same time, in the event of a state of emergency, communications completely pass under the control of law enforcement agencies, which will be able to turn off civilian networks. However, experts specify, the initiative can also improve the quality of mobile communications, since “in peacetime” the ranges that are now occupied by the military will be available to operators.

“Kommersant” got acquainted with a new version of the development strategy for the communications industry of the Russian Federation until 2030 developed by the Ministry of Digital Development. The document introduced a proposal to create a mechanism for sharing and dynamic management of the radio frequency spectrum for the development of mobile communications with “the ability to manage for special consumers the restriction of the use of radio frequency bands by civilian users.”

To do this, an organization will be identified – the operator of technical means, which will receive frequencies intended for the joint use of “modern and future generations of mobile communications.” The Ministry of Digital Development confirmed the initiative, specifying that they would work it out with the industry. Who is planned to be appointed as the frequency operator, the ministry did not specify.

Previously, such a proposal was put forward only in relation to the development of a new 5G communication standard. It was about developing networks based on a single radio frequency operator with state participation, which will receive frequencies in the “golden range” of 3.4–3.8 GHz free of charge in the “compatibility mode with special services” (see “Kommersant” dated June 29) .

As Aleksey Slukin, the editor of the Telekommunalka profile Telegram channel, explained, since the late 1990s, a mechanism for the dual use of radio frequencies has been introduced in the Russian Federation, but there is no mechanism that allows special users to turn off civilian networks automatically: “Previously, telecom operators received a certain range of residual method, since the power structures were in priority. When creating such a mechanism, there is a risk of abuse of the “switch” from the frequency operator. It would be logical for Roskomnadzor and the Main Radio Frequency Center subordinate to it to do this.” Roskomnadzor reported that they had no information about the initiative.

Aleksey Boyko, an analyst for the specialized Telegram channel abloud62, believes that the mechanism can be a compromise option, since telecom operators have been trying to obtain frequencies for exclusive use for many years, and for this it is necessary to consistently release them from special consumers: “Unfortunately, the conversion in the Russian Federation is stalling as because of the cost of the process, and because of the position of law enforcement agencies. According to Mr. Boyko, the sharing mechanism will allow civil operators to occupy the necessary frequencies when “other consumers” do not use them, which in the future may have a positive effect on the quality of communication.

Alexander Sivolobov, Deputy Head of the Skoltech-based NTI Competence Center for Wireless Communication Technologies, believes that the initiative may be the only way to allocate 5G frequencies. According to his forecast, this option can be implemented in five to seven years. The mechanism for using communication by civil and special consumers can be effective in new ranges, according to Tele2. MegaFon, MTS and Vimpelcom declined to comment.

In addition to cellular communication, radio frequencies are used by other electronics. So, in mid-June, Kommersant found out that the Federal Service for Technical and Export Control limited the certification of some drones that operate at the frequencies of law enforcement agencies (5.03-5.09 GHz) (see Kommersant of June 19). The first deputy general director of Fly Dron, Alexander Kaniovsky, believes that the distribution of frequencies according to standardized rules will have a positive effect on the market: “In wartime, the use of civilian drones will in any case be limited, and there are many reasons for this, for example, the seizure of control by intruders, sabotage, etc.” .

Timofey Kornev