Page 100 - RusRPTApr19

9.1.8 Telecoms sector news
Sales of smartphones in Russia dropped by almost a third in February,
making the sharpest decline since the 2015 market turbulence, Kommersant daily reported on March 6 citing a survey of market participants. The respondents attributed the decline to the high indebtedness of the consumers, tougher requirements on consumer loans, and loss of momentum after front- loaded purchases in the end of 2018 ahead of the VAT hike. Along with the decline in car sales registered in February, the first in two years, low smartphone sales is a warning that weak consumer sentiment that persisted throughout 2018 could be starting to translate into compromised demand this year. Previously in January mostly premium smartphone models had the sales decline, with the market share of Apple and Samsung in Russia as estimated by GfK going down from 38.9% to 32.7% and from 26.5% to 22.9%, respectively. In February the trend continued, with Chinese brands Huawei and Honor more than doubling their joint share to 36.3%, according to Kommersant citing M.Video retailer.
Russia’s Defence Ministry thinks it is too early to transfer a 3.4–3.8 GHz frequency range to mobile operators for development of 5G networks, business daily Vedomosti reported late Thursday on its website. The move makes appearance of 5G in the country impossible, the daily said. It was the ministry’s opinion regarding a draft concept of development and creation of 5G networks in the country, prepared by the Digital Development Ministry and sent out to other ministries for approval. The Defence Ministry asks to take time in using the frequencies that were not mentioned in a 2018 decision of the State Radio Frequency Commission, which were 4.8–4.99 GHz and 27.1–27.5 GHz.
9.1.9 Tourism sector news
In 2018, tourists have spent nearly RUB864bn ($13bn) in Moscow hotels, restaurants, theaters and shops, Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin stated on his website on Monday. "According to updated data, in 2018, Moscow hotels, restaurants, theaters, shops and stadiums have received RUB863.9bn in revenue from tourists. A major part of this sum was converted into salaries for workers," the website informs. The mayor noted that out of this figure, RUB118bn ($1.8bn) formed part of the city’s budget via taxes. "You can build a new metro line with this money, or finance a year of residential buildings
100 RUSSIA Country Report April 2019 www.intellinews.com