Mobile internet connectivity across Russian regions remains inconsistent: in some areas, services are being restored after lengthy outages, while others seem to be preparing for an extended period without mobile network access. For instance, following a multi-day disruption, mobile internet has started to return in Krasnoyarsk. Conversely, in Oryol Oblast, local authorities have suggested that service providers revise their tariffs due to ongoing network restrictions.
Oryol Oblast residents have been facing mobile internet issues for several days, leading to widespread frustration and complaints, some directed at the regional governor himself. Andrey Klychkov, the head of the region, stated in an interview with Business FM that he could not provide an approximate timeline for the restoration of mobile internet access. To alleviate public discontent over paying for an unavailable service, operators will be asked to consider lowering their charges. Andrey Klychkov explained:
Andrey Klychkov
Governor of Oryol Oblast
“Essentially, we are 100 kilometers from the border, and nearly 1000 drones have been intercepted to date. Accordingly, internet restrictions have been implemented to enhance security measures. Internet is unavailable in the city and several municipal districts. Therefore, we understand that proposals for tariff adjustments must be made, not by regional operators, but by federal ones. I have instructed the preparation of an official appeal to operators to modify tariffs and charges for the duration of these temporary mobile communication restrictions. We have been under restrictions for a week now. Why should people pay for something they are not receiving?”
Federal mobile operators have not yet responded to the Oryol governor`s proposal, but it is highly unlikely to be met with approval. Sergey Vilianov, editor-in-chief of Vilianov.com, commented on the situation:
Sergey Vilianov
Editor-in-chief of Vilianov.com
“Operators are entirely blameless: they are prepared to provide services, they continue to maintain their infrastructure, pay for electricity, and compensate their employees. Given that Russia has some of the lowest mobile communication tariffs globally, any additional `tightening of the screws` would leave nothing. Exploiting operators in this situation is highly inhumane and unfair, especially since all disconnections occur by directives from legitimate state-affiliated bodies.”
In another region, Krasnoyarsk Krai, mobile internet service has resumed following a major outage that lasted several days. However, there are no guarantees that it won`t be disconnected again. Consequently, there has been a sharp increase in demand for wired internet access, with connection queues now extending until the end of August.
According to listeners of Business FM, mobile internet has been absent in specific areas of Nizhny Novgorod for nearly a month, and the situation remains unchanged. Against this backdrop, Governor Gleb Nikitin made a controversial statement. During his address to the regional Legislative Assembly, he asserted that the disconnections are necessary for security and encouraged residents to perceive them as a “digital detox.” As the saying goes, further comments are unnecessary.
Amidst the widespread mobile internet outages, the kicksharing service Whoosh has introduced the option to rent electric scooters via SMS. The company specified that this is a temporary solution, currently in pilot mode across 15 cities, including Voronezh, Izhevsk, and Krasnodar.
Rupert Blackwood 
Clement Ashworth