Russia Launches Large-Scale Telecom Project in the Arctic

A major push to bring 4G connectivity to Russia’s Arctic is overcoming extreme conditions to connect remote towns and industries.

Russia is steadily building out a robust telecom infrastructure across its vast territory, including the remote and inhospitable Arctic region. The growing network is stitching together disparate areas of the country through reliable communication links.

Base stations with LTE (4G) access are being installed even in small northern settlements. All of them are equipped with Russian-made hardware. This infrastructure is not just for residents — it’s enabling business operations, logistics, and other industries that rely on always-on connectivity.

Operators face significant challenges in the Arctic, with harsh weather and an extremely short construction season topping the list. Still, implementation is moving forward. In Murmansk Oblast, over 95% of residents now have access to high-speed internet. Arkhangelsk Oblast shows similar figures. The Arctic also serves as a proving ground for Russian telecom equipment: if it survives the North, it can function anywhere in the country.