Russia wants Apple to change technical policy

Russia's Ministry of Communications does not exclude "tougher inspections" of imports of Apple smartphones in connection with the company's policy with regard to regional Russian operators, Minister of Communications and Mass Communications of the Russian Federation, Nikolay Nikiforov said, ITAR-TASS reports.

"An important question that we address to Apple, is that they do not activate the support of several small LTE networks in Russia, from which they arranged a strange cult," said the head of the ministry. Some Russian operators, the minister said, "have to queue to Apple to pass strange tests."

Therefore, the Ministry of Communications of Russia expects that Apple will change its operational and technical policy accordingly. However, continued Nikiforov, "if the  company does not notice that, we will have to apply tough regulation - we will launch more stringent checks to ensure that all imported phones support all networks operating in the Russian Federation."

The Minister noted that he stands for the free use of various technologies. "From our side, there are no obstacles to sell the new iPhone," he said.

The price of the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus in Russia will range from 31.99 thousand rubles to 46.99 thousand rubles ($864-$1,270), according to the Russian version of Apple's website. To place orders for new smartphones from Apple will be possible in Russia from September 26.

Apple introduced new smartphones on 9 September. The company declined the idea to release budget models and focused on competition with Samsung, which produces smartphones with large screens.