MTS deployed mobile communications at the Antarctic stations Mirny and Vostok

2025: Construction of two base stations

PAO MTS , with support Arctic and Antarctic Research Institute (AANII) , built base stations in Antarctica at two polar stations - East where the south pole of cold is located, and Mirny. Now MTS mobile communication is provided with polar explorers of all five year-round operating the Russian stations Antarctic in the region. The operator announced this on February 19, 2025.

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Фото: MTC

MTS engineers have developed a technical solution taking into account the peculiarities of the climate of the polar station and the layout of the complex. Communication inside the building is provided simultaneously by internal antennas and a radiating cable. MTS used the same cable during the construction of the network in the tunnels of the St. Petersburg metro. In a short time, about a kilometer of coaxial cable and more than 30 antennas were installed in the premises of the wintering complex. The implemented solution guarantees "soft" radio coverage, which allows you to use communication services without threatening the health of polar explorers permanently located in the NRSC building. Communication outside the complex for several tens of kilometers is provided by an external all-weather antenna.

The deployment of the base station at Mirny Polar Station made mobile communications available in one of the most important in terms of scientific research and the most dangerous corners of Antarctica. The coast of the mainland in the area is a snow-ice barrier up to 20 meters high, and the area of ​ ​ access to the ice dome is covered with a large number of deep cracks. Communication of the GSM standard for polar explorers at Mirny was launched throughout the station, including ship parking.

{{quote 'We were faced with an ambitious task: to provide mobile communications with a new wintering complex at Vostok station. In a short time, St. Petersburg engineers, together with colleagues from Komi and Novosibirsk, built a network, and now the communication inside the complex is simultaneously provided by special radio antennas and a radiating cable. We also launched voice communication at the Mirny polar station. Both projects in Antarctica required serious preparation, and the well-coordinated work and examination of our specialists together with AANIA led to the main result - polar explorers can call up, exchange messages in instant messengers at any time with colleagues, loved ones, friends. For engineers and researchers working for a long time at polar stations, it is important to stay in touch with the "big earth." Our long-term cooperation with AANIA confirms that it is necessary to constantly engage in the digitalization of Antarctica: to develop infrastructure at polar stations for scientists and engineers studying this amazing region, "said Alexander Solovenchuk, director of MTS in St. Petersburg and the Leningrad Region. }}

The construction of the cellular communication network at both MTS stations was carried out as part of a joint project with the Arctic and Antarctic Research Institute (AANII) as part of the 70th Russian Antarctic Expedition (RAE). Before leaving for Antarctica, MTS engineers underwent training, including climbing Elbrus, as they had to work in extreme climates and highland conditions. Vostok Station is located at an altitude of 3488 meters above sea level, and it was here that in 1983 the lowest air temperature in the history of meteorological observations was recorded: -89.2 ° C.

Another important stage of our large-scale plan to modernize the existing polar infrastructure has been completed. We strive to create comfortable conditions for polar explorers to work and live in the harsh and most remote corners of the planet, to ensure the ability to maintain the usual social ties. From the station in Antarctica, you can call using the "home" tariff plan, send photos or videos, contact friends via video link. This not only helps us to be closer, but also makes it possible to learn more about the most mysterious continent of the planet, "said Alexander Makarov, director of the Arctic and Antarctic Research Institute.

Since 2020, MTS has been developing a telecom network in Antarctica. As of February 2025, MTS provides voice communication and mobile Internet to five Russian stations: Mirny, Vostok, Progress, Novolazarevskaya and Bellingshausen. At Bellingshausen and Progress, an NB-IoT network has also been deployed to transmit data from a complex of devices of the Arctic and Antarctic Research Institute.