Testing Successfully Conducted on Russian 5G Satellite Network System by FPI
In May 2025, trials were conducted in the Tomsk region by "Telecom-Project-5," a development commissioned by the Federal Penitentiary Service (FPS), testing a 5G communication line's ability to simultaneously control five unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) from aboard an Il-76MD-90A aircraft. The aircraft functioned as a surrogate atmospheric satellite.
According to the FPS's statement, the ground control and monitoring station supplied the data transmission feed line, controlled the 5G communication system, and directed the UAVs through it. The 5G airborne communication technology, designed for managing UAVs in a terrestrial-space network, demonstrated stable signal reception and transmission from the flying laboratory to ground terminals imitating 5G mobile phones.
Yan Chibisov, head of the FPS's Center for Aviation and Space Technologies, reported that these trials underscored the feasibility of implementing 5G technology in low Earth orbit satellites, a vital step for managing UAVs and Internet of Things (IoT) devices through hybrid networks.
Russia's Minister of Digital Development, Maksut Shadaev, reported on December 11, 2024, that by 2030, 5G communication infrastructure will be accessible in 16 Russian cities. Construction is set to begin in two cities after the inception of serial production of Russian base stations in 2026. By 2030, the government aims to provide continuous coverage of mobile internet on 98% of roads.
As of 2025, 5G in Russia is primarily available in pilot zones and test deployments in some major cities, while mainstream consumers heavily rely on 4G services. Russia faces challenges in deploying 5G due to sanctions and the need for domestic 5G equipment development. The government's strategy includes plans for Russian-made 5G equipment and aims to cover all cities over 100,000 people with 5G by 2030-2035.
The 5G technology, initially demonstrated for managing unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in a terrestrial-space network, could potentially be implemented in low Earth orbit satellites, merging space-and-astronomy with science and technology. By 2030, Russia's Minister of Digital Development aims to extend 5G communication infrastructure to 16 cities, thereby expanding the reach of science and technology in the country.
