Walkie-talkies and pagers back in demand in Russia as mobile internet disruptions continue

The interruptions have impacted daily services that rely on mobile data. (Image credit: ABC News)

Some Moscow residents are turning to technology that many believed had long since vanished due to frequent delays to mobile internet access. Pagers and walkie-talkies, which were popular in the 1990s, are suddenly back in demand. Information cited by the e-commerce platform and reported by Russian media

According to Wildberries, walkie-talkie sales have increased by around 27 percent, while pager sales have increased by nearly 73 percent. People are searching for alternatives to interact when their mobile internet stops working, which is why there is an increase.

The interruptions have impacted daily services that rely on mobile data. Online payments can be difficult, messaging apps stop loading, and maps don't refresh. For many people who depend on cellphones for work or daily tasks, even brief delays can be problematic.

Simpler devices are returning to that role. Walkie-talkies don't rely on cell networks at all because they enable direct communication between people via radio waves. In order to stay in contact even in the event that internet connections are unavailable, some small businesses, delivery teams, and security personnel have resumed utilizing them.

Pagers, which were once common before smartphones took over, are also seeing a small comeback. They can still receive short messages through specialised networks and are seen as reliable when other systems fail.

Officials in Kremlin have acknowledged that mobile internet disruptions have taken place. Authorities say some of the restrictions are linked to security measures, though they have not provided detailed explanations about when normal service will fully return.

For many residents, the sudden return of these devices feels like stepping back in time. Pagers were widely used in Russia in the 1990s, especially by businesses and emergency services, before mobile phones gradually replaced them.

Now, as internet access becomes unpredictable in some areas, people are rediscovering why those simpler tools once mattered. They may not offer the features of smartphones, but when modern networks fail, they still do the one thing people need most: allow them to stay in touch.