Handing out internet from your phone is a service that can be especially useful when you need to connect multiple devices to the web. However, despite the fact that you have paid for the Internet, the Wi-Fi distribution function does not always come with it by default. In Russia, such an approach from operators was considered unethical and a year ago obliged them to provide this service without additional payment and other tricks. In Kyrgyzstan, the situation is different, because this point is not regulated by law.

Last year, the Russian Federal Antimonopoly Service (FAS) obliged telecom operators operating in Russia to stop charging for the distribution of mobile Internet from their mobile devices. The agency found that the operators' actions contained signs of violating antimonopoly legislation: the companies impose unfavorable terms and conditions on subscribers in their telecommunications services agreements. And, in addition, they charge citizens double payment for mobile Internet, on average, Russians spent 1.5 thousand rubles per month for this service.

According to Global Relocate, Kyrgyzstan in 2024 was in the top ten countries with the cheapest mobile Internet, being on the 8th line, with a cost of $0.17 per gigabyte. Back in 2021, the republic ranked 2nd (the first was and remains Israel. - Author's note) then 1 gigabyte cost $0.1.

According to the National Bank, in 2023, Kyrgyz citizens made 104.2 thousand transactions to pay for mobile communications, paying 40.5 billion KGS. In two quarters of 2024, the volume of transactions amounted to 13 billion KGS.
 

Having analyzed the tariffs of mobile operators, the editorial staff of “Akchabar” came to the conclusion that all three operators offer approximately the same thing, but despite the similarity in prices, tariff offers of operators “O!”, Beeline and MEGA for the 4-week period differ in the set of services. In general, in Kyrgyzstan mobile operators have complete freedom and the issues of pricing and tariff filling are not regulated by the legislation. Therefore, each operator independently chooses the tariff policy, including deciding whether the subscriber will pay for additional services or they will be bundled.

Despite the similarity of many parameters, not all operators provide their subscribers with the service of Internet distribution. However, it is quite logical that, paying for gigabytes or an unlimited package, the client has the right to dispose of it as he wants. However, not all domestic operators agree with this.

At the operator “Oh!” Internet distribution is free only in 6 tariff plans out of 18 available for distribution. The rest of the tariffs require additional payment for this function.

Beeline also applies its own conditions. It has 4 tariffs that immediately include the ability to share the Internet, but for all other tariffs this service comes as a bonus. That is, the ability to share the Internet is not provided by default, but users can get it for free when connecting some options or promotions, while limiting themselves in the choice of other functions.

MEGA in turn voluntarily provides free internet sharing. When paying for a standard internet package, subscribers are free to share their traffic with other devices without facing additional conditions or surcharges.

The question of whether additional conditions and surcharges for giving away already paid for internet is fair is about transparency and loyalty of operators. If a customer pays for a certain number of gigabytes, it is logical that they should be able to use them as they see fit. The introduction of hidden conditions may be perceived as an attempt by operators to gain additional profit by restricting standard functionality.