Russia rolls out long-delayed 5G, but not for iPhones

AFP | Moscow

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Russia announced yesterday that it was rolling out its long-delayed 5G mobile network, but that iPhone users would be unable to connect until Apple coordinated the move with Moscow.

The Russian government first announced plans for 5G internet in 2019, but Russia’s powerful Security Council blocked the move over concerns it would overlap with frequencies used by military and security agencies, according to Russian media reports.

The rollout comes amid widespread frustration in Russia at repeated internet blackouts introduced to counter Ukrainian drones, which authorities say use mobile internet to navigate.

“5G services have gone live in 16 cities, providing approximately 10 million people with access to high-speed fifth-generation mobile internet,” Russia’s digital ministry said in a statement.

But the restriction on iPhones means tens of millions of Russians -- as many as one in four mobile users -- would potentially be cut off from the technology.

Apple pulled out of the Russian market following Moscow’s Ukraine offensive in 2022. While newer iPhone models can connect to 5G, enabling the service would require the US tech giant to coordinate with Russian mobile operators.