Amidst mobile internet disruptions, Russians are purchasing Wi-Fi routers.
In recent months, residents of various Russian regions, including Ivanovo, Pskov, Nizhny Novgorod, Rostov-on-Don, Tyumen, and others, have been experiencing mobile internet outages[1]. This trend is primarily due to government security measures aimed at preventing enemy drone attacks and protecting defense enterprises and public infrastructure amid ongoing conflicts[3][5].
The Kremlin justifies these shutdowns as necessary military precautions, but they are also seen as part of a broader effort to increase domestic digital surveillance, control access to information, and criminalize access to what is labeled "extremist" content under new laws passed in June 2025[3].
The prolonged and widespread mobile internet blackouts have disrupted regional economies and daily life significantly. One hour of mobile internet outages is estimated to cost a regional economy over 750 million rubles (~$9.4 million)[1][3]. Many residents have reported inability to work remotely because home Wi-Fi often depends on mobile networks, reducing overall connectivity and productivity[1][3].
In response, there has been a notable increase in the sales of Wi-Fi routers and home network equipment. People seek to maintain internet access by switching to fixed-line broadband or other non-mobile internet sources that are less affected by mobile network restrictions[1][5]. Small and medium-sized enterprises are the main clients requesting Wi-Fi for their information systems, cash registers, and to provide internet to visitors[1].
Operators do not incur financial losses from internet shutdowns, as this is considered a force majeure. Suing operators would be futile as they are unable to influence internet shutdowns[2]. Dmitry Peskov, the press secretary of the President of Russia, believes that mobile internet disruptions are justified as they help ensure safety during drone attacks[4].
Routers are useful for both private and corporate users during digital blackouts. For instance, Ozon has ordered owners of pick-up points operating in the "Maxim Brand" format to connect to wired internet[6]. Meanwhile, mobile network provider Whose has launched SMS-based rentals in Volgograd, Voronezh, Izhevsk, and Krasnodar[7].
Eldar Murtazin of Mobile Research Group states that the state can turn off the internet in a specific region with a single button press[2]. The scope, equipment, and region of the outage are regulated, and operators find out about it afterwards[2].
Residents are advised to withdraw cash, take screenshots of important information, download and save maps, music, and books on their phones, and purchase SMS packages for communication[2]. The number of requests from business segment clients for fixed internet connection, including Wi-Fi, increased by 2.2 times compared to the same period in 2024[1].
The competitive advantages of fixed internet and Wi-Fi include data transfer speed and the absence of traffic limits[1]. Sales of Wi-Fi routers on Wildberries have increased by 112% compared to June-July 2024[1]. This shift demonstrates a grassroots adaptation to maintain connectivity under restrictive conditions, reflecting both the economic cost and the social demand for uninterrupted internet access[1][5].
[1] Kommersant [2] Vedomosti [3] Meduza [4] TASS [5] RBC [6] Ria Novosti [7] Interfax
People are turning to Wi-Fi routers and home network equipment as a solution to maintain internet access, given the widespread mobile internet outages in various Russian regions. The increase in Wi-Fi demand can be attributed to small and medium-sized enterprises, as well as private users, seeking to bypass mobile network restrictions.
Ongoing mobile internet blackouts have led to an surge in sales of Wi-Fi routers, with Wildberries reporting a 112% increase in Wi-Fi router sales compared to June-July 2024. This trend underscores the growing necessity for fixed internet and Wi-Fi connections as residents adapt to restrictive conditions, driven by both economic cost and social demand for uninterrupted connectivity.
