Internet Connection Time Extended Due to High User Demand
In the months of June and July 2021, Russia witnessed a surge in internet service delays and disruptions, affecting both federal and regional providers. According to an analysis by service 101internet.ru, which examined over 2,500 applications nationwide, cellphone internet shutdowns were reported in nearly 90% (73/80+) of the regions, with broadband outages in 41 regions [1].
The regions that experienced the most delays or disruptions included areas near international borders and zones perceived to be under heightened security threats. For instance, Voronezh, a city near Ukraine, was frequently targeted by drones, causing cellular and Wi-Fi internet outages that severely limited connectivity for residents in early July 2021 [1]. Similarly, the Nizhny Novgorod region east of Moscow experienced extended restrictions, with the threat remaining in place "as long as necessary," indicating a longer-term leadership in delayed or blocked internet access [1].
The nature of these delays was unpredictable, with disruptions lasting from hours to several days. In some cases, the impact was variable even within single cities [1]. Approximately a quarter (24.9%) of internet service requests were processed with a delay of more than 30 days [1]. In one town in the Moscow region, a queue for internet connections extends to November, according to an interlocutor.
Alexander Levokhin, the founder of "101 Internet", noted the uneven demand for the service, with some regions experiencing a decrease and others showing a sharp increase [2]. TransTelecom confirmed a growth in the number of applications for fixed broadband access, with some regions experiencing a threefold increase [3]. Megaphone reported a 20% year-over-year increase in the number of applications for internet services in June-July [4]. However, the analysis did not specify the reasons for the delays in processing internet service requests [1].
The analysis included applications from federal and regional internet providers, such as Rostelecom, MTS, TransTelecom, and Ufanet [1]. Rostelecom reported an average year-over-year increase of 12-15% in the number of applications for home internet connection in the last few months [5]. Despite this growth, the data provided does not indicate the total number of internet service requests processed within the 30-day timeframe [1].
In conclusion, the widespread nature of internet shutdowns and delays across many regions and networks suggests that both federal and regional providers were subject to the imposed delays and restrictions. Regions such as Voronezh and Nizhny Novgorod were particularly affected due to security considerations, with disruptions lasting for hours to days and the impact being variable even within single cities.
References: 1. Source 1 2. Source 2 3. Source 3 4. Source 4 5. Source 5
- The surge in internet service delays and disruptions in Russia revealed an increased reliance on technology, as evident by the growth in the number of applications for internet services.
- Despite the uneven demand for internet services in different regions, the wide-spread nature of the delays indicates a systemic issue in Russia's technology infrastructure often subject to security threats and restrictions.
