Russia moves to phase out 3G and embrace next generation networks through 2030
The plan to retire the 3G standard in Russia is coordinated to run through the period from 2023 to 2030, forming a core element of a wider strategy for building the national communications sector up to 2035. This transition reflects a deliberate shift toward more modern mobile technology, aligning with global trends and signaling a broader modernization of the country’s digital infrastructure for the coming decade. The aim is not only to phase out older networks but to lay the groundwork for faster, more secure and more capable mobile services that can support a wide range of consumer and business use cases in the North American and global contexts.
In the initial phase, engineers and regulators are prioritizing the development and deployment of the LTE standard across homegrown equipment and systems. At the same time, there is a focus on the pilot operation of domestically produced telecommunications hardware designed to support 5G readiness and future 6G capabilities. This approach seeks to validate new hardware locally while preparing the network ecosystem for the higher speed, lower latency demands of next generation wireless communications that many markets are preparing to adopt in the 2020s and beyond.
Industry observers anticipate that mobile operators will share underlying infrastructure to enable 5G networks, creating a pathway toward 6G integration by around 2030. Shared infrastructure can accelerate rollout, reduce costs, and improve coverage, offering customers more consistent service as new standards come online. Such collaboration resonates with global efforts to maximize spectrum efficiency and ensure that high performance networks reach both urban centers and more remote communities across the country and neighboring regions.
On the legislative front, authorities are looking to formalize fundamental principles for the ongoing development of 4G and 5G networks. A key element is the use of the radio frequency band from 4,800 to 4,990 MHz, with potential expansion to 4,400 to 4,990 MHz to establish a robust main frequency range for 5G deployment. This spectrum strategy is designed to balance current needs with future scalability, ensuring that the network can absorb rising data traffic while maintaining reliability and security for users in Canada, the United States, and beyond who rely on cross-border connectivity and interoperability.
Additionally, experts expect the adoption of native cryptographic information protection tools to fortify the defense of communication networks. Implementing advanced CIPF technologies aims to enhance data integrity, confidentiality, and resilience against growing cyber threats, an essential consideration for operators as digital services expand and more critical applications come to rely on mobile networks for secure communications and everyday tasks.
Kommersant, a leading business daily, noted that the shift away from 3G could face delays that push the timeline beyond initial expectations. Early ambitions envisioned moving most frequencies from 3G to 4G by 2025, but procurement challenges and slower uptake among older devices required adjustments. The reality in the market shows that equipment availability, supplier lead times, and the pace at which older hardware is retired can all influence how quickly transitions occur across different regions and operator groups. This nuance is important for readers tracking global telecom modernization and the comparative speeds at which countries upgrade their networks.
Another widely discussed topic is the quality of online security for users in Russia and neighboring markets. Reports have highlighted the risk that many passwords could be compromised rapidly if weak protection measures are in place or if outdated authentication practices persist. This underscores a broader lesson for all readers: as networks modernize, robust cybersecurity becomes inseparable from performance improvements. Protecting user credentials, encryption keys, and sensitive data is a continuous priority for operators and regulators alike, ensuring that new generations of mobile services deliver both speed and trust for businesses and consumers across North America and beyond.