MTS to deliver first ten aeromobile LTE/5G communication complexes to Russian regions
In short
MTS said it will supply its first ten aeromobile communication complexes (AMKS) to key regional branches by the start of 2027, with recipients in the Far East, Siberia, the Urals, the south, the northwest and central Russia. The complexes pair a tethered hexacopter carrying an LTE/5G base station with equipment transported by car or trailer, and are intended to restore coverage in remote areas, at mass events and during emergency response. MTS first demonstrated the system in May 2026 in Nizhny Novgorod.
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MTS will deliver its first ten aeromobile communication complexes (AMKS) to key regional branches by the start of 2027, CNews and iXBT reported, citing the operator. The recipients are branches on the Far East, in Siberia, the Urals, the south, the northwest and central Russia. TASS announced the plan without specifying numbers or a schedule. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
The complex is built around a tethered hexacopter that carries an LTE/5G base station and is transported on a car or a trailer. CNews says the aircraft is of the tethered type, with the base station suspended beneath it; iXBT adds that the hexacopter carries a radio module and an antenna, rises to 100–200 m and can provide coverage within a radius of 10–15 km for three days. Both outlets say two specialists can bring the system into working order in about 30 minutes. [ 2 , 3 ]
According to both tech outlets, the equipment is meant to deploy LTE/5G connections where there is none — at mass events, for agricultural work, environmental monitoring, search and rescue operations and emergency response. It can also be used to organise dedicated Private LTE/5G corporate networks for industries with production sites in hard-to-reach areas. [ 2 , 3 ]
Alexey Maslyankin, director of the MTS network development directorate, said the company began work this year on several high-altitude platform projects to carry base stations, and that the aeromobile complex with a tethered hexacopter has already drawn interest from potential customers. He said MTS would send the first ten sets to cities from which the complexes can be quickly moved to various locations, and that regional branches would adapt them to their own vehicles and radio equipment. [ 2 ]
The system was first demonstrated in May 2026. CNews places the showing in Nizhny Novgorod, while TASS and iXBT tie it to the CIPR forum held that year. iXBT says the equipment connects to the operator's network via a satellite channel or an optical line; no other document describes the connection method. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
Why it matters
The deployment is aimed at areas where permanent mobile infrastructure is absent or sparse, including sparsely populated and remote territories, and at temporary needs such as emergency response and large events. For MTS it is also a test of whether airborne platforms can extend coverage more cheaply than building towers. The documents give no figures on cost, coverage gained or regulatory approvals.
Key facts
- MTS plans to deliver its first ten aeromobile communication complexes (AMKS) to regional branches by the start of 2027. [ 2 , 3 ]
- Recipients are key regional branches on the Far East, in Siberia, the Urals, the south, the northwest and central Russia. [ 2 , 3 ]
- The complex uses a tethered hexacopter carrying an LTE/5G base station and is transported by car or trailer. [ 2 , 3 ]
- According to iXBT, the aircraft rises to 100–200 m and provides coverage within a radius of 10–15 km for three days. [ 3 ]
- Setup takes about 30 minutes and two specialists, CNews and iXBT reported. [ 2 , 3 ]
- MTS says the system is intended for mass events, agricultural and ecological work, search and rescue, emergency response and Private LTE/5G corporate networks. [ 2 , 3 ]
- The complex was first shown in May 2026 in Nizhny Novgorod at the CIPR forum. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- MTS will send ten aeromobile communication complexes to regional branches by the start of 2027. [ 2 , 3 ]
- The destinations are the Far East, Siberia, the Urals, the south, the northwest and central Russia. [ 2 , 3 ]
- The system is based on a tethered hexacopter carrying an LTE/5G base station, transported on a car or trailer. [ 2 , 3 ]
- Two specialists need around 30 minutes to bring the complex into working order. [ 2 , 3 ]
- Intended uses include mass events, agricultural work, ecological monitoring, search and rescue, emergency response and Private LTE/5G networks. [ 2 , 3 ]
- The complex was first demonstrated in May 2026; TASS ties the first showing to the CIPR forum. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
Still unclear
- The flight altitude of 100–200 m, a coverage radius of 10–15 km and an operating duration of three days. These figures appear only in the iXBT article and are not repeated in the other documents.
- How the complexes connect to the network. Only iXBT says the equipment connects via a satellite channel or an optical line; the other documents do not mention this.
- Whether more than ten complexes will follow. All documents describe only the first ten units; no further orders are stated.
What local media are saying
Timeline, local time
- TASS announces that MTS will supply aeromobile communication complexes to Russian regions. [ 1 ]
- CNews reports that the first ten complexes will go to regional branches by the start of 2027, citing MTS representatives. [ 2 ]
- iXBT publishes technical details of the complexes, including altitude, coverage radius and operating duration. [ 3 ]