Russia is moving forward with plans to roll out a commercial satellite internet service, targeting a launch window in 2027. The initiative comes from Bureau 1440, a unit of the X Holding conglomerate, and has been reported by the business daily Vedomosti. The strategy centers on building a robust orbital fleet capable of delivering reliable broadband across vast and often underserved regions, leveraging the experience of companies within X Holding’s network.
Initial coverage would be established with a fleet of about 250 satellites. The plan envisions a substantial expansion, aiming to exceed 700 satellites by 2030 to ensure global reach and resilient service. These numbers emerged from remarks by Alexey Shelobkov, chief executive of the Yadro group of companies, which is also part of X Holding, made during the unveiling of a 5G test zone at a major Russian exhibition and forum. The milestone targets reflect a deliberate strategy to scale capacity in step with subscriber growth and market demand, rather than a single-launch solution. (Vedomosti)
Executives indicate that as the customer base expands, so too must the satellite constellation. A representative from Yadro noted a conservative estimate for the potential service audience inside Russia at roughly 1.5 to 2 million users, with a global footprint potentially reaching up to 12 million end users. The framework suggests a tiered deployment, balancing rocket launches, satellite production cadence, ground infrastructure, and network management to sustain service quality across varying geographies. (Vedomosti)
In a broader context, SpaceX operates the Starlink broadband system, a global satellite internet service designed to provide high-speed access in locations where conventional connectivity is unreliable or costly. Starlink’s research, development, and production operations are centered in Redmond, Washington, reflecting a substantial U.S. footprint that supports rapid iteration and deployment of satellite technologies. The presence of a well-established competitor underscores the strategic importance of affordable, ubiquitous access and highlights the ongoing evolution of low-earth orbit networks as a dominant trend in the telecom landscape. (Source: SpaceX corporate notes and industry coverage)
Earlier reporting suggested that Russia’s satellite internet efforts would pursue innovations sometimes described as perpetual-motion-like in their ambition to maintain continuous, global coverage. While such characterizations capture the imagination, the practical focus remains on achieving stable, scalable service through an expanding orbital fleet, advanced ground infrastructure, and careful spectrum management. Industry observers note that success will depend on synchronized hardware manufacturing, orbital coordination, regulatory approvals, and the ability to attract a broad base of subscribers across urban and rural settings alike. (Industry analysis)