MOSCOW, Russia | September 14, 2026 — Russia has launched commercial fifth generation mobile networks for the first time, bringing 5G services to 16 major cities as the country seeks to expand high speed connectivity after years of regulatory and technological delays.
The launch was announced by Russia’s Ministry of Digital Development, Communications and Mass Media on Friday and follows an order from President Vladimir Putin.
The first phase is expected to provide access to high speed mobile internet to about 10 million people.
All four major Russian mobile operators have activated 5G services in Moscow, St Petersburg and Yekaterinburg. Coverage in the other cities varies, with between one and two operators currently providing the service.
The government plans to extend 5G to another 50 cities before the end of 2026.
Officials said existing 4G networks already cover about 90% of Russia’s inhabited territory, while mobile internet traffic has more than tripled over the past six years.
The increased demand for mobile connectivity has made the expansion particularly important in major urban areas, where networks face their highest levels of congestion.
Frequency restrictions complicate rollout
Russia’s introduction of 5G has faced unusual technical and regulatory challenges because the 3.4 to 3.8 gigahertz frequency range widely used for 5G internationally remains under the exclusive control of the country’s military and security services.
Telecommunications companies have previously sought access to the spectrum but have not succeeded.
Instead, operators have been allocated frequencies between 4.63 and 4.99 gigahertz, with the available spectrum distributed equally and without charge.
The choice of frequencies also affects the devices that can access the new networks.
Apple iPhones will not initially be able to connect to Russia’s 5G networks because the devices operate at lower frequencies. The Digital Ministry said Android users would gain access “in the near future”.
Access for iPhone users, the ministry said, “depends on a decision by the Apple corporation.”
The rollout has also been affected by the departure of major telecommunications equipment manufacturers Nokia and Ericsson from Russia following the full scale invasion of Ukraine.
Russia targets domestic 5G equipment
Russian authorities say the next stage of the programme will involve the deployment of new frequencies already allocated to telecommunications operators and a gradual increase in the use of equipment manufactured domestically.
Dmitry Grigorenko, Deputy Prime Minister and Chief of the Russian Government Staff, said the government ultimately wants Russian made equipment to account for the entire 5G base station network.
“In the initial phase, we are utilising existing infrastructure, which already allows us to increase data transfer speeds by 20–25 per cent. We will then move to new frequencies, which have already been allocated to telecoms operators. At the same time, we will gradually increase the proportion of domestically produced equipment. Our aim is to bring the proportion of Russian-made 5G base stations up to 100 per cent,” said Dmitry Grigorenko, Deputy Prime Minister and Chief of the Russian Government Staff.
The initial deployment will therefore rely partly on existing telecommunications infrastructure while operators transition towards the newly allocated spectrum and locally produced equipment.
5G seen as part of digital transformation
The Russian government views fifth generation connectivity as more than an upgrade to mobile internet, describing it as part of a broader digital ecosystem for the economy.
The technology can support industrial digitalisation, autonomous vehicles, robotics, telemedicine and smart city systems.
It can also provide connectivity for Internet of Things devices and enable private technological networks at industrial facilities.
The government says the technology will be particularly significant in large cities, where rising mobile internet use has placed increasing pressure on existing networks.
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