Mobile communications in the Russian Federation until 2028: Challenges of forced import switching From 2028, Russian operators must switch exclusively to local base stations. This would require the gradual replacement of more than a million foreign systems. However, now Russian production produces only a few thousand stations a year, and businesses are already asking the Ministry of Digital Development to soften the requirements, fearing a decline in communication quality.

Mobile communications in the Russian Federation until 2028: Challenges of forced import switching From 2028, Russian operators must switch exclusively to local base stations. This would require the gradual replacement of more than a million foreign systems. However, now Russian production produces only a few thousand stations a year, and businesses are already asking the Ministry of Digital Development to soften the requirements, fearing a decline in communication quality.

Behind this decision is an objective economic contradiction:

Scale problem. Building complex electronics from scratch requires huge investments. Without access to global sales markets, it is very difficult to bring back local production, temporarily making local stations scarce and expensive.

Risk of increasing rates. To compensate for the costs of upgrading networks and purchasing more expensive equipment, operators will be forced to include these costs in the cost of services to end consumers.

The need for compromise. Administrative deadlines collide with technical reality. To prevent damage to coverage, the state and the big businesses will have to find a balance - moving deadlines or providing additional subsidies. Bottom line: Launching complex high-tech production within one country is a long process. Without a flexible approach and industry support, a forced transition would place an undue financial burden on both operators and subscribers' wallets.