Over 90% of Russians Use 4G—Government Pushes for 5G Rollout

With most of the country connected to 4G, Russian officials say it's time to move forward with the adoption of next-generation 5G networks.

More than 90% of Russians are now connected to 4G mobile networks. However, the government believes the country must begin transitioning to 5G. The statement was made by Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Grigorenko at the Global Digital Forum in Nizhny Novgorod.

Grigorenko noted that reaching over 90% coverage in the world's largest country by land area—with a relatively low population density—is a significant achievement. Yet demand for faster data transmission and more stable connections continues to grow. Only 5G, he said, can meet these evolving needs. He emphasized that Russia must keep pace with global trends to avoid falling behind.

Steps toward the shift are already underway. In April, the Ministry of Digital Development began exploring the possibility of holding an auction for 5G frequency bands. Preparations are expected to begin in the second half of 2025.