Private ISPs' profit 60 percent down

The European Radio for Belarus has learned what private internet service providers complained about in their letter to the Ministry of Communication. Euroradio talked to a representatives of one of the providers who wished to remain anonymous in order not to affect an respond from the ministry. He said that the profit of private ISPs dropped by 60 percent:

Provider: “The profit of Beltelecom to which we pay in USD has soared 60 percent up. Our profit is 60 percent down, and we can't endure this competition”.

In their letter, ISPs listed their main problems: payments in USD to Beltelecom, inflated prices for services which they purchase from Beltelecom and cross subsidizing.

Beltelecom maintains that its inflated internet prices are necessary in order to connect people to landline phones in remote villages. ISPs complain that a special fund for electrical communication has allegedly been in existance for several years. This funds compensates the expenditures of Beltelecom to connect new telephone lines. All IPSs and mobile operators make payments to this fund, thus being exposed to a double taxation!


The press office of Beltelecom says that the cost of services sold to ISPs is in line with laws. Beltelecom does not reckon that the conditions of private ISPs is misadvantegeous:

Beltelecom spokeswoman: “This is a far-fetched statement. Generally, pricing is carried out in a strict line with the laws”.

ISPs say they are needed not less than Beltelecom.

“The telecommunication sector means the veins with blood. Whatever tasks are given to an athlete, but if his blood-carrying system is blocked or undeveloped, he will never obtain records”.

It is worth noting that regional ISPs have not wished to endorse the letter to the ministry. A company in Brest said that these letters would not change anything:

CityLine: “Of course, we don't agree with everything. It is a hard business. But if you don't like it, switch to wholesales trade instead of writing those letters. It is easier for ISPs in Minsk, because they are charged less money”.

ISPs have not yet received an answer to their letter from the ministry.

 Country  ISP  Speed (In/Out)
 Cost (in Br)
 Poland  Aster  10 Мбіт / 1 Мбіт  128,000
 Ukraine  ЦИФРА  10 Мбіт / 2 Мбіт  340,000
 Russia  АКАДО Телеком  10 Мбіт / 1 Мбіт  55.300
 England  O2  8 Мбіт / 8 Мбіт  30,000
 Singapoure  SingTel  8 Мбіт / 8 Мбіт  93,000
 Italy  TelecomItalia  8 Мбіт / 2 Мбіт  160,000
 Czech Republic  Volny  8 Мбіт / 0.5 Мбіт  90,000
 Lithuania  Zebra  6 Мбіт / 6 Мбіт  103,000
 Germany  1&1  5 Мбіт / 1 Мбіт  53,600
 France Domaccess
 4 Мбіт / 4 Мбіт  157,000
 Belarus  Beltelecom  1 Мбіт / 0.5 Мбіт  980,000

Table from blog alterby
Photo — www.securitylab.ru