In 2013, Russians resumed sending text messages.
In a surprising turn of events, Russia has witnessed a significant increase in SMS traffic for the first time in over 10 years [1]. This resurgence of the traditional messaging service can be attributed primarily to frequent mobile internet outages and restrictions on encrypted voice calls over foreign messaging apps like WhatsApp and Telegram.
Key factors contributing to this growth include:
- The efforts of government and mobile operators to block voice calls on foreign messaging platforms, citing rising costs from sanctions, equipment shortages, and a surge in mobile traffic. Operators argue that restricting these calls will push users back to traditional voice calls and SMS, stabilizing their revenues [1].
- The Ministry of Digital Development's initiatives, such as plans to block calls from foreign SIM cards, require call recording, and label foreign calls. These measures are tightening digital controls and limiting access to alternative calling channels, further encouraging SMS usage [1].
- The frequent mobile internet disruptions, including throttling or outages, reduce the reliability of internet-based communication, prompting users to rely on SMS, which uses basic cellular networks and is less affected by internet issues [1].
This revival of SMS comes despite the technology losing over 80% of its volume since 2013. However, it reflects a shift caused by geopolitical pressures, sanctions, and regulatory controls rather than organic user preference changes [1]. There is also ongoing concern about SMS-related fraud and spam globally, but the growth in Russia is mainly linked to the above infrastructural and political factors rather than fraud-related traffic [2][3].
Push notifications are affected by mobile internet outages, making SMS the only reliable communication channel. The increased use of SMS is also driven by services that require action confirmation via a reply message, such as mobile account parking payment [1]. Additionally, companies in Russia are using SMS more frequently to send notifications, verification codes, and passwords [1].
Sources: [1] Izvestia [2] Unnamed source close to one of the operators [3] Various sources [4] Global fraud and spam concerns [5] Specific details about "SMS That Can't Be Stored on a Phone" not provided in the paragraph.
- Despite the significant decrease in SMS volume since 2013, the traditional messaging service has seen a resurgence in Russia due to geopolitical pressures, sanctions, and regulatory controls, making it the only reliable communication channel during mobile internet outages.
- The increased use of SMS in Russia is attributed to various factors, including government initiatives to restrict foreign messaging platforms, frequent internet disruptions, and a growing reliance on SMS for service notifications, verifications, and passwords.
