Russian Army to Deploy Its Own Cellular Network

New military units equipped with mobile relays and cellular antennas will soon be able to set up local mobile networks within minutes, according to a report by Izvestia. These new units will be capable of quickly deploying a local cellular network and connecting to federal operators within a range of 30–40 kilometers from a mobile tower.

The latest equipment will allow the creation of communication zones isolated from enemy interception, as well as provide information exchange in areas affected by natural disasters. The mobile complexes will be able to provide connectivity not only for military units but also for local civilians.

The first such units have already appeared in the Russian Far East and Siberia. Exercises conducted in the Eastern Military District near Khabarovsk confirmed the reliability of signal relay and high data transmission speeds in field conditions.

New telecommunications technologies are being introduced among Russian troops. Automated command and control systems (ASUV) provide access to and processing of data during combat operations. Army commanders have also received secure mobile phones that allow them to connect to encrypted military communication channels.