Telegram is emerging as one of Russia’s top traffic drivers, entering the upper tier for the first time and drawing attention from major mobile operators. This shift is being observed by representatives from Beeline, Megafon, and MTS and reported by industry outlets such as Vedomosti. The ripple effect of Telegram’s growing use is being watched as operators track how messaging and media consumption shape network demand.
Beeline confirms that in July 2023 Telegram joined the top three traffic generators on its network for the first time. On Beeline’s chart, Telegram sits behind YouTube and VK, which hold the top two spots. This placement marks a landmark moment for the service within the operator’s user base and network load profiles, highlighting Telegram’s increasing role in daily digital activity. The timing aligns with a broader year-to-date upsurge in Telegram traffic across operator networks as users adapt to new features and content formats, including short-form stories. Yet the operator notes that while traffic rose after the launch of stories, it is not possible to definitively attribute the surge solely to that feature, since information consumption patterns are evolving across platforms and formats.
Industry observers point to Telegram’s ongoing development as a signal of shifting user preferences. A dedicated channel, Telegram Designers, showcases community-contributed concepts and design experiments that explore features not yet present in the mainstream app. This community activity is often cited in discussions about whether Telegram might eventually rival multi-platform ecosystems such as Instagram or Twitter. Analysts emphasize that for Telegram to broaden its footprint into those domains, it would need to demonstrate a broader integration of services and content strategies that resonate with a larger audience. In this context, the debate continues about Telegram’s potential to replace or complement other social and messaging ecosystems, particularly in markets where platform availability and access policies are evolving. The discussion is reflected across multiple sources, including industry analyses and tech-focused outlets. (Vedomosti)
Earlier reports have highlighted mixed reception to Telegram’s Stories feature, with observers noting certain limitations and ongoing user experience considerations. The conversation around how Stories influence usage patterns remains active as Telegram expands its feature set and experiments with new ways to present content inside chats and channels. The overall takeaway is that Telegram’s traffic growth is part of a broader trend of increased messaging and media consumption, driven by a combination of feature updates, user adoption, and shifting digital routines. (Vedomosti)