According to the National Rating Agency, capital expenditures for major Russian telecom operators are projected to reach 460 ₽ billion in 2026, marking a 10% increase. By 2027, these investments are expected to rise by another 25%, totaling 580 ₽ billion. Companies plan to allocate approximately 16% of their revenue toward development, with an anticipated revenue growth of 7.5%.
The increase in spending follows a period of reduced investment in 2025. Financial conditions for infrastructure projects are expected to improve as the key interest rate potentially drops below 13% by 2027. Commercial 5G deployment began on September 11, 2026, with all four major operators launching services in select cities simultaneously.
Operators are currently utilizing existing LTE frequencies and legacy foreign equipment. However, a transition to domestic infrastructure is mandatory. The share of Russian-made base stations is set to grow from 1% in 2027 to 100% by 2031. For the 4.63–4.99 GHz band, foreign equipment is permitted for use until January 1, 2029.
Regarding mobile device compatibility, the Ministry of Digital Development noted that 5G access on iPhones remains subject to Apple's internal decisions.
