Tech · 5 d ago
Russia proposes cutting mobile service to unregistered imported phones
The proposal
The digital ministry wants phones brought into Russia without customs clearance registered by IMEI number on the Gosuslugi government portal within two weeks. Phones not registered by then would not be served on mobile networks.
What we know
- Covers phones bought abroad and counterfeits
- Two weeks to register
- Phones on networks before Apr 2027 are exempt
Not yet
- Whether owners will have to pay a fee
The rule would cover phones bought abroad and brought in by their owners, as well as counterfeit devices. Phones already working on Russian networks before April 2027 would keep working without registration.
Two sources suggest owners may have to pay to register such phones, which the new draft of the rule allows. Officially imported devices from retailers are added to the database automatically.
