Russians urged to return to landline phones

Russians are trying to come to terms with a new reality: the country’s censorship authorities are shutting down mobile internet access. Millions of people across the country are affected by the digital clampdown, which the authorities describe as a “security measure”.

Judging by statements from Rostelecom — Russia’s largest telecommunications company — the situation may be long-term.

Company head Mikhail Oseevsky says people should return to fixed-line phones.

“It is simply a guaranteed means of communication. I would strongly advise everyone to go back to using a landline. Like a fire extinguisher, every home should have one,” Oseevsky told the state propaganda outlet TASS.

According to the telecom chief, many Russians are already requesting the reinstallation of traditional phones.

“I can report an interesting trend: we have seen a very noticeable increase in requests for landline installations. This is because people have realised that it is a very reliable and high-quality means of communication […],” he said.

Over the past year, there have been regular disruptions to mobile internet services across Russia. Recently, the shutdowns have become more frequent and prolonged. In March 2026, parts of Moscow experienced three weeks without a stable mobile internet connection. Remote regions have also been affected. In late March, Murmansk and the Kola Peninsula faced several days of shutdowns.

The situation has caused major problems for Russia’s heavily digitalised society and economy.

However, ordinary Russians appear reluctant to return to older forms of communication. A poll conducted by the newspaper Meduza on Telegram shows that only two per cent of respondents are considering installing fixed lines, while 83 percent have no such plans in the foreseeable future.

The poll, which includes about 50,000 respondents, also shows that 12 percent currently have fixed-line phones in their homes, but only two percent use them on a regular basis.