Residents of the Russian capital are increasingly resorting to walkie-talkies and pagers as unexplained and widespread disruptions to mobile internet and cellular services persist across central Moscow. The outages, which have also been reported in St. Petersburg, have crippled everyday digital functions, leaving many unable to hail rides, send messages, or access work emails.
Officials have stated the measures are necessary for “security,” offering no specific timeline for a return to normal service. This explanation follows a pattern of increasing online restrictions within the country.
The impact is both economic and social. Business analysts estimate daily commercial losses in Moscow could run into the billions of rubles, affecting delivery, retail, and taxi services. The disruptions have even extended to the halls of the State Duma, where lawmakers reported being cut off from mobile networks.
In response, sales data indicates a surge in purchases of analog communication devices. Demand for walkie-talkies and pagers has risen sharply, along with a renewed interest in paper maps of the city.
These outages occur against a backdrop of tightening state control over Russia’s digital landscape. Numerous foreign-owned platforms are already blocked, and authorities are promoting a state-developed “super-app” for communication and services. Furthermore, legislative efforts are underway that could soon restrict virtual private networks (VPNs), a common tool for bypassing online censorship.
The situation underscores a significant shift, as both citizens and businesses adapt to a increasingly fragmented and controlled internet environment by turning to pre-digital solutions.
