In the first half of 2023, spam calls surged in Russia, with at least 3.8 billion such interruptions reaching mobile users. This figure represents about a 2.15-fold increase over the same period the year before, according to Business Petersburg, which cites data from the mobile operator MTS. The trend underscores a growing challenge for telecom customers who constantly face unwanted solicitations and potential scams during everyday communications.
Other major operators reported similar spikes. MegaFon observed a rise in spam calls, estimating a roughly 40 percent uptick from the prior year. Tele2 added that an average subscriber received eight to nine advertising calls each month, highlighting a persistent level of unsolicited contact across networks. These trends prompted calls for stronger measures to curb nuisance calls and protect user privacy.
Geographically, MTS noted that the highest concentrations of spam activity were directed at Moscow and St. Petersburg. Subscribers in St. Petersburg also reported noticeable levels of unwanted calls. The trend extended to several large regional centers, with Krasnodar, Ufa, Novosibirsk, Yekaterinburg, Rostov-on-Don, Kazan, and Samara among the cities impacted. This distribution suggests that spammers cast wide nets across urban territories, leveraging varying market dynamics to reach large pools of potential targets.
Telecom operators emphasized their reliance on advanced data analytics to combat spam. By applying big data technologies, services can identify patterns associated with spam calls, including call duration, frequency, aggregate characteristics, and how users respond to them. These parameters help differentiate legitimate traffic from intrusive but potentially deceptive activity, enabling more effective blocking and user protection measures.
Industry representatives noted that processing volumes are substantial. For example, Tele2 reported handling around 5-6 million calls per day through big data workflows, which include evaluating reset calls and other indicators of suspicious behavior. The ongoing effort to filter and analyze vast streams of call data reflects the sector’s commitment to reducing nuisance calls while maintaining reliable connectivity for customers. This balance—protecting users without impeding legitimate communication—remains a central challenge for operators as they refine their detection models and response strategies.
Analysts and regulators have discussed the need for coordinated approaches to address spam calls, particularly as new technologies and marketing practices evolve. The emphasis falls on improved caller verification, stricter anti-spam policies, and transparent reporting to help consumers recognize legitimate outreach from malicious or misleading attempts. Stakeholders agree that visibility into the origin and purpose of calls, combined with user-friendly controls, is essential for restoring trust in mobile communication channels.
As the fight against spam calls continues, mobile operators continue to invest in machine learning and real-time monitoring to enhance detection accuracy. The goal is to reduce the number of intrusive interruptions while preserving the convenience and speed that modern networks offer. For users, staying mindful of unfamiliar numbers and enabling built-in blocking features can further minimize exposure to unsolicited contact. Researchers and industry bodies are also exploring standardized frameworks for reporting and mitigating spam, aiming to create a safer, more predictable calling environment across markets.