Minister of Digital Development Maksut Shadaev announced significant regulatory, infrastructure, and technological shifts for the Russian telecommunications sector. Operators face requirements to invest in domestic base stations, critical information infrastructure, and enhanced security measures.
The government plans to monitor mobile service price hikes, using utility tariff increases as a benchmark. According to Ministry of Economic Development data, utility payments are projected to rise by 11% in 2027, 8.6% in 2028, and 7.6% in 2029.
Operators are tasked with expanding LTE coverage to all settlements with over 1,000 residents and along federal highways. Additionally, the industry is expected to focus on 5G network deployment, with capital expenditures for 5G development estimated at over 335 ₽ billion through 2036.
Mobile traffic in Russia declined by 6% year-on-year in the second quarter of 2026, totaling 12.1 billion GB, with usage dropping in 74% of regions. Despite this, all four major federal operators have reintroduced unlimited data plans as of October 2026.
