Russian Carrier Plans to Put 5G Base Stations on Low-Earth Orbit Satellites

The country’s biggest telecom operator wants to beam 5G signals straight from space to smartphones, bypassing traditional ground networks.

Russia’s largest mobile operator, MTS, has announced plans to deploy 5G base stations on low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellites. The project, which leverages Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTN) technology in Direct-to-Cellular (DTC) mode, would allow phones and other gadgets to connect directly to satellites — no ground infrastructure or intermediary devices required.

The roadmap stretches through 2030 and includes three stages: building a test station, running trials, and launching the first satellites. Full coverage would require anywhere from 200 to 5,000 spacecraft, with investment potentially reaching 300 billion rubles (roughly $3.7 billion). Given the scale, MTS says it may form a consortium to share costs and expertise.

Global players are pursuing similar ambitions. SpaceX’s Starlink, Amazon’s Project Kuiper, and several Chinese ventures are all testing ways to extend connectivity beyond traditional towers. But MTS is taking a different tack: direct smartphone-to-satellite connections designed to work seamlessly without add-on devices.

If successful, the system could deliver urban-grade connectivity in Russia’s remotest areas — on Arctic sea voyages, deep in the Siberian taiga, or in mountain villages that lack even basic coverage. The company frames the initiative as not just a technological leap but also a step toward “digital sovereignty,” promising equal access to modern communications for every citizen.