The Ministry of Digital Development, Communications and Mass Media of the Russian Federation has prepared a large-scale draft amendment to the Strategy for the Development of the Communications Industry, designed for the period up to 2035. According to the ambitious plans presented, under the optimistic scenario, the average mobile internet speed in the country should increase more than fivefold. While at the end of 2025 this figure was recorded at 24.7 Mbps, by the end of the forecast period it is expected to grow to an impressive 125 Mbps.
Base and Optimistic Scenarios of Digitalization
The developers of the document incorporate a variable approach to the development of telecommunication infrastructure into the core of the strategy. In addition to the maximum target of 125 Mbps, there is also a baseline development option. It implies a more moderate, yet significant increase in the average speed of mobile network access up to 80 Mbps. Achieving such results is planned through an unprecedented increase in capital investment in the entire industry. It is expected that the volume of investments will double and reach a range from 1 to 1.2 trillion rubles.
5G Network Deployment and Technological Modernization
The deployment of fifth-generation (5G) networks with a target coverage of 15% to 30% of the country's population should become the key driver of the technological breakthrough. Telecommunications market experts note that at the initial stages, new-generation networks will be oriented primarily towards corporate clients, industrial enterprises, and automated production facilities. At the same流 time, for the mass segment and private users, the capabilities of enhanced 4G networks will remain relevant, as their potential is far from exhausted.
Contradictory Data
Despite official statements from the agency and the financial indicators embedded in the strategy, industry experts differ in their assessments of the realistic deadlines for completing the tasks. Some analysts point out that the ambitious plans directly rely on the pace of import substitution and the stable production of domestic telecommunication equipment capable of withstanding heavy loads. Other specialists believe that modernizing existing LTE networks through carrier aggregation and transferring the 3G band to the LTE standard will help mitigate some infrastructure risks.Prospects for Subscribers and Business
The implementation of such a large-scale strategy up to 2035 can fundamentally transform the digital habitat of both ordinary citizens and major industrial players. Improving the qualitative characteristics of wireless communication will open up new opportunities for the development of cloud services, the Internet of Things (IoT), and unmanned transport. However, the success of the entire endeavor will depend on the coordinated work of the regulator, telecom operators, and the domestic technological base.
