The Resolution of the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Belarus №518 dated from July 12, 2017 made some additions and changes to the Rules for the telecommunication services provision and the Rules for the of lines, communication structures and radio communications protection in the Republic of Belarus.

The Resolution allows improving the legislation in the field of telecommunications, improving the quality of telecommunication services, protection of the rights of citizens and organizations to whom such services are provided.

The Rules are supplemented by the definition of the terms "sending SMS messages" and "unique identification code", specified by the definition of the term "cable television systems".

According to Article 12 of the Law "On Advertising" of the Republic of Belarus advertising distribution by telephone, telex, facsimile, cellular mobile telecommunication is permitted only with consent of the subscriber to receive advertising.

Taking into concideration the subscriber's right to refuse SMS mailings, clause 181 of the Rules introduces amendments to the obligation of the telecommunications operator to send SMS to other telecommunications operators only on the basis of agreements for receiving and sending SMS with such operators, as well as Duties of the telecommunications operator to send SMS only with the subscriber number indication or unique identification code, and the obligation to terminate  SMS from the subscriber's number or unique identification code, with the exception of the operator messages on telecommunication services and messages, the transfer of which is performed by the cellular mobile telecommunications operator in accordance with the legislation.

At present the Rules set only quality indicators for data transmission services using wired (fixed) and wireless access technologies.

The Resolution establishes the quality parameters of the services provided for mobile cellular telecommunications networks, terrestrial digital television broadcasting and cable television systems. There is a new version of the Appendix to the Rules and it defines technical indicators that characterize network availability, communication continuity, voice quality and quality of data transmission services. Technical indicators for terrestrial digital television broadcasting and cable television systems that directly affect the quality of the user's image and sound perception are determined.

Common indicators establishment will create conditions under which the controlling bodies and the subscriber will be able to assess the quality of services provided by different companies, which will reduce the number of citizens and legal entities appeals on the lack of standards for ensuring the quality of services provided and improve the quality of telecommunication services.