Finland to cut off part of Russia's access to Western internet
Photo: Young people using computers (Getty Images)
Starting next year, Finland will stop maintaining the power line towers that carry part of Russia's international internet traffic. Finnish grid operator Fingrid has already notified Russian telecom operators of the decision, according to the Russian newspaper Kommersant.
Sources in Russia's telecommunications market told the outlet that Finland plans to disconnect the fiber-optic cables running along the power lines and dismantle the towers entirely.
Another source explained that, since electricity exports from Russia to Finland ended in 2022, maintaining the towers solely for telecom infrastructure has become economically unviable for both Fingrid and Russian operators.
After 2022, around 60–70% of Russia's international internet traffic has reportedly been routed through Finland. Another industry source said that up to 30% of all communication lines connecting Russia and Finland run along these power transmission towers.
According to the report, Russian telecom companies are now negotiating with Finnish providers to secure alternative routes.
More internet-related news from Russia
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