In Russia fines for access to the Internet via foreign providers could soon be threatened. A corresponding legislative proposal is being processed in the Parliament of the Russian Federation. It is justified with national security. Citizens could bypass Russian network monitoring via providers such as SpaceX and OneWeb.

The proposed law provides for fines of 10. 000 to 30.000 Rubles (converted approximately 111 to 335 Euro) for private individuals. Companies even face fines of 500. 000 up to one million rubles (5575 to 11.150 Euro). That comes from a report in the Russian edition of the magazine Popular Mechanics . However, for the time being, this would only be relevant in selected border regions. The near-earth satellites need a ground station in sufficient proximity to the end user.

Roskosmos sees SpaceX as a rival Through Use of western infrastructure such as SpaceX ‘Starlink or the recently launched satellites of the Indo-British OneWeb could bypass Russian telecommunications providers. This means that users are beyond the control of Russian authorities. Such internet access contradicts the security regulations of Russia. The EU is also planning its own satellite internet, the use of which would also be punishable.

Dmitri Olegowitsch Rogozin, head of the Russian space organization Roskosmos, sees SpaceX and thus also the Starlink satellite internet as a major rival. Rogozin has criticized both NASA and the US Department of Defense for subsidizing SpaceX through government contracts. However, SpaceX offers the USA rocket launches in return for less than other clients.

Roskosmos operates OneWeb, Sfera plans The draft law covers all foreign providers of satellite Internet. This also includes a Roskosmos customer: OneWeb uses Russian Soyuz rockets for the satellite launches. By the time commercial services commence at the end of the year, Roskosmos is expected to bring more than 500 more OneWeb satellites into low earth orbit. At the same time, Russia itself plans to introduce Internet access via satellite. However, the constellation “Sfera” (sphere) will only go into operation in a few years, possibly 2030. Many details are unknown. Sfera still has no official budget.

According to Vice Prime Minister Yuri Borissow, ten billion rubles (111 million euros) to 2022 released. The entire project could cost more than 16 billion euros. That would go beyond Russia’s budget. The Russian space agency currently receives only two billion euros annually.

(fds)