Pager and paper map sales rise in Moscow after internet outages

Residents of Moscow have begun buying pagers, handheld radios, landline phones as well as road and foldable paper maps following internet outages in early March.

Source: Bloomberg

Details: According to data from Wildberries, one of Russia's largest online retailers, sales of handheld radios rose by 27% compared with early February, sales of landline phones increased by 25% and pager sales surged by 73%.

Sales of paper road maps saw the sharpest increase – up by 170%. Foldable maps were purchased 70% more often.

Background:

• Mobile internet has been switched off in Moscow from 5 March. Local mobile operators said the disruptions have been caused by "external restrictions" beyond their control.
• Losses from the internet outages in Moscow amount to RUB 3-5 billion (about US$38-63 million), or around RUB 41 million (US$510,000) per hour.

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