Prior to 2017, telecommunication services were considered natural monopoly in the RK, which mandated operators to perform accounting separation. Relevant provisions were repealed as from 01 January 2017. However, the 2016 Rules for separate accounting of incomes, costs, and assets, used by natural monopolies subjects in the spheres of telecommunications and universal postal services continued to be in force until January 2019.  As from January 2019 the Rules have been suspended until 01 January 2020. While the Rules are again in force as from 2020, the only remaining natural monopoly service in the sphere of telecommunications is provision for lease or use of cable ducts (with the exception of the activities of small businesses). All other telecommunication services do not fall within the ambit of vertical separation requirement.