Internet disruptions in Russia are pushing some residents to rely on pagers and walkie-talkies as digital services become unreliable.
Widespread internet disruptions across Russia have forced some residents to turn to outdated communication tools such as pagers and walkie-talkies as digital services become unreliable.
Reports indicate that mobile internet restrictions in Moscow and other cities have made it difficult for people to access websites, messaging apps, and navigation services. Authorities say the outages are related to security measures, though analysts believe they may also be part of broader efforts to tighten control over online communications.
The disruptions have affected daily life in the Russian capital. Residents have reported problems ordering taxis, sending work messages, or accessing essential services that rely on mobile data connections. Businesses that depend on mobile internet have also experienced significant financial losses during the outages.
As a result, demand for older communication technologies has surged. Retail data shows that sales of pagers increased by more than 70 percent, while purchases of walkie-talkies also rose sharply. In some cases, people have even started carrying paper maps again due to unreliable GPS services.
The restrictions began in early March and primarily affect mobile networks rather than fixed broadband connections. Experts say the outages may represent a trial phase for a potential system that limits access to only government-approved websites.
Russia has tightened its control over the digital space in recent years, blocking several foreign social media platforms and messaging services while encouraging citizens to move to domestic alternatives. Analysts warn that the latest disruptions could signal a further shift toward a more controlled national internet infrastructure.
For many residents, however, the immediate impact has been more practical: adapting to life without reliable connectivity by using communication methods that had largely disappeared from everyday use decades ago.
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