MNP

Russia Expands Mobile Number Portability to Allow Inter-Regional Transfers Starting September 1

From September 1, Russian subscribers can retain their mobile number when moving to another region and either switch to a new operator or stay with the existing one if coverage is available. Previously, the Mobile Number Portability service was restricted to transfers within a single federal subject, forcing users who relocated from cities such as Kazan to Moscow to obtain a new number or accept outdated regional tariffs. The updated rules remove this geographic limitation, reducing the administrative burden of updating contacts, banking applications, and online accounts linked to the phone number. Operators will now face greater competition because regional restrictions can no longer be used as a retention tool. Usage of the service has already grown sharply, with more than 4.3 million numbers ported in the first half of 2026, double the 2.1 million recorded in the same period of 2025. Since the launch of MNP in 2013, over 41 million numbers have changed operators, and the new inter-regional capability is expected to accelerate that trend further.