Expanding desire for mobile internet in Russia observed
In recent times, there has been a notable increase in the demand for stable communication services in Russia, with satellite internet emerging as a popular alternative to the increasingly unstable mobile and fixed-line internet connectivity across the country. This shift can be traced back to May 2025, when Russia witnessed widespread internet outages and throttling, with cellular blackouts affecting over half the country and fixed-line slowdowns disrupting essential services like ATMs and payments.
These measures, officially linked to countering Ukrainian drone operations, have also been suggested to serve the purpose of tightening information control. Consequently, many Russians are seeking more reliable alternatives such as satellite internet to maintain stable access to communication networks amid increasing instability and censorship of traditional ISPs.
However, satellite broadband is not without its challenges. One significant issue is the susceptibility to interference and synchronization loss. Satellite communication systems rely heavily on Phase-Locked Loop (PLL) circuits to maintain signal synchronization. Traditional PLL systems have limitations related to their hold and capture ranges, which can cause instability and loss of signal synchronization, particularly in noisy or contested environments.
Another challenge is the technical complexity and stability required to ensure continuous synchronization in satellite broadband. Recent Russian developments aim to improve this by providing improved algorithms that stabilize PLL systems, enhancing the resilience of communication and navigation devices against disruptions.
Moreover, satellite internet depends on robust and secure satellite networks. Global satellite services such as Starlink have suffered outages, impacting their users dependent on them for critical communication. This vulnerability of satellite networks to external disruptions or attacks is a critical hurdle for satellite broadband providers and users.
Despite these challenges, the deployment of public Wi-Fi networks in certain regions is a response to the mobile internet restrictions. For instance, regions such as Rostov and Samara Oblasts have seen the deployment of public Wi-Fi networks with free access. The growth in demand for satellite internet is also a long-term trend, with the Russian VSAT market, which includes satellite internet, growing by 8% from December 2022 to March 2024, reaching 162,800 stations.
Notably, during the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) from June 18 to 21, 2025, residents of St. Petersburg and the surrounding area experienced mobile internet disruptions. The specific reason for these disruptions was to prevent the use of GPS or cellular networks for drone guidance.
Sergey Pehterev, a shareholder of "Ka-Internet", has stated that satellite broadband is not suitable for all clients due to its high cost. Nevertheless, as the demand for reliable communication services continues to grow, it is expected that satellite internet will play an increasingly significant role in meeting this demand, especially in hard-to-reach places where traditional connectivity is lacking.
- In an effort to meet the increasing demand for reliable communication services, satellite internet is being increasingly adopted in Russia as a more stable alternative to mobile and fixed-line connectivity, due to the latter's instability and censorship.
- Despite the challenges, such as susceptibility to interference, technical complexity, and vulnerability to external disruptions or attacks, the Russian VSAT market, including satellite internet, is showing growth, with a 8% increase from December 2022 to March 2024, reaching 162,800 stations, indicative of its significance in addressing communication needs, particularly in hard-to-reach areas.
