Russia’s internet shutdowns push state firms back to landline phones
Russia's internet shutdowns lead to a surge in landline phone purchases, with state firms spending nearly three times more on them in the first eight months of 2026.
Intelligence analysis by Qwen 2.5 (3B)
Russia's internet shutdowns have forced state firms to rely more on landline phones, with purchases tripling in the first eight months of 2026.
Russia is cutting off internet in many places, so people are buying more landline phones at home, like a backup phone just in case the internet goes out.
Analysis
{"heading":"Impact on Banking and Navigation","subheading":"Mobile internet shutdowns have severely impacted banking and navigation services, particularly in rural areas.","paragraph_1":"The shutdowns have hit banking, taxi services, food delivery, and navigation, particularly in rural areas, leading to significant disruptions.","paragraph_2":"Experts dispute the Kremlin's claim that the shutdowns are aimed at preventing Ukrainian drones, which can operate without a network connection.","paragraph_3":"The disruptions have reached regions far from the front line, affecting services like navigation and banking, which rely heavily on mobile internet.","paragraph_4":"The Ministry of Economic Development forecasts that the number of all landlines will fall to between 8.2 and 8.5 per 100 residents by 2029, as state firms continue to rely more on landline phones."}
Key points
- State firms in Russia have spent nearly three times more on landline phones in the first eight months of 2026.
- The surge in landline phone purchases is driven by mobile internet shutdowns affecting nearly 80% of the country.
- Experts dispute the Kremlin's claim that the shutdowns are aimed at preventing Ukrainian drones, which can operate without a network connection.
The increase in landline phone purchases could lead to more secure and reliable communication channels, even if internet access is limited.
The shift to landline phones could exacerbate existing digital divides, particularly in rural areas where internet access is already limited.
