In the first half of 2023, most Russian mobile operators reported faster mobile Internet speeds, attributing the gains to regulator-driven frequency changes. This assessment comes from a Kommersant publication that cites statements from the companies themselves.
MegaFon announced that overall Internet speed on its networks rose about 12 percent year over year, reaching 29.34 Mbps. In Moscow, the uptick was even more pronounced, with speeds climbing 6 percent to 44.27 Mbps. Beeline, operated by VimpelCom, saw a 10 percent improvement, while MTS noted only a modest uptick. Tele2 recorded flat performance nationally, yet Moscow experienced a 4 percent increase.
The operators attributed the efficiency gains to a process described as frequency redeployment, which involves shifting base stations that previously served the 3G band to the 4G band. MegaFon indicated that during the period the redeployment was rolled out in 24 Russian regions. MTS reported that approximately 62 percent of its Moscow base stations had been reorganized as part of the effort.
Industry analysts interviewed by Kommersant cautioned that such redeployment offers only temporary relief. Without additional equipment—an item in tight supply in Russia due to sanctions—operators may soon reach a saturation point, after which network speeds could decline again.
Separately, the former Russian Ministry of Industry and Trade signaled that domestic electronics manufacturers are preparing to roll out smartphones preloaded with Aurora OS, signaling a push toward localizing software options for citizens and businesses.