ANALYSIS OF COMPETITION IN THE MARKET FOR CELLULAR SERVICES IN THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION

About the authors:

Natalia V. Tutarova, Student, Department of Econometrics and Statistics, Graduate School of Economics and Management, Ural Federal University named after the first President of Russia B. N. Yeltsin (Yekaterinburg); natalia.tutarova@urfu.me; ORCID: 0000-0003-2092-8730

Elena A. Trofimova, Cand. Sci. (Econ.), Associate Professor, Department of Finance, Monetary Circulation and Credit, Ural Federal University named after the first President of Russia B. N. Yeltsin (Yekaterinburg); elena.trofimova@urfu.ru; ORCID: 0000-0002-6946-5098

Tatiana V. Bakunova, Cand. Sci. (Econ.), Associate Professor, Department of Finance, Monetary Circulation and Credit, Ural Federal University named after the first President of Russia B. N. Yeltsin (Yekaterinburg); tatyana.bakunova@mail.ru; ORCID: 0000-0002-0398-643X

Abstract:

It is impossible to imagine the modern society without the constant information exchange. In the digitalization age, cellular services have become the most profitable and rapidly developing part of the telecommunications industry. This article analyzes the market for cellular services in the Russian Federation. The authors pay attention to the development of competition in this market. The inter-regional market features the “Big Four” companies (VimpelCom, MegaFon, MTS and T2 Mobile), virtual operators, the number of which has increased in recent years, as well as small operators operating within several regions. However, the shares of virtual and small operators are small when compared to the “big four”. This study presents data on interregional and regional telecom operators from 2016 to 2020. The paper uses industry assessment approaches based on industry market theory: measures of concentration level, market power, and structure analysis. Additionally, the authors consider strategic and non-strategic barriers to entry while estimating the industry’s future development prospects. The Russian cellular market is characterized by a high level of competition. This study has revealed a tendency towards a decrease in concentration, which can be explained by the increase in the number of major players and the entry of newcomers to the market.

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