Pagers and paper maps make a comeback in Moscow as the internet goes dark

The big picture: If you told someone in 2026 that pagers were making a comeback, they would probably assume you were referring to some retro tech trend on TikTok. But that is not the case. This is actually happening in Moscow right now, and the reason has far less to do with nostalgia.

For roughly the past week, mobile internet across central Moscow and parts of St. Petersburg has been intermittently failing. People can't load apps, hail cabs, or, in some cases, even make a basic phone call. That last point is particularly concerning. Entire voice networks have gone dark in parts of the city, effectively cutting people off from the most basic form of digital communication.

The Kremlin acknowledged the disruptions earlier this week, saying they were necessary to "ensure security." Beyond that, officials added only that the restrictions would remain in place as long as deemed necessary ...