Mobile Internet Blackouts in Russia Drive Demand for Walkie-Talkies and Pagers

Amid prolonged mobile internet blackouts in Russia, residents in cities like Moscow are increasingly using walkie-talkies, pagers, and paper maps to communicate and navigate. Sales of these traditional devices have surged, with walkie-talkie sales up about 27 percent and pager purchases rising nearly 73 percent. Authorities attribute the internet restrictions to security measures aimed at preventing Ukrainian drone attacks, limiting access to government-approved sites. These disruptions have affected daily services reliant on mobile data, prompting some businesses and individuals to revert to offline communication methods.