Companies owned by Russia’s government are spending more on phones with fixed lines. From January to August 2026, they spent 118 million rubles. This was more than three times their spending in the same months of 2025. Mobile internet shutdowns now affect almost 80% of the country.
Russia began regularly turning off mobile internet in May 2025. The shutdowns cause problems for banks, taxis, food deliveries, and maps on phones. Country areas face particular problems. Government offices and businesses are looking for other ways to stay in touch.
Officials say the shutdowns help stop Ukrainian drones, or aircraft without pilots. They say these aircraft use mobile internet. Experts disagree. They say drones can follow planned routes without an internet connection.
