The Ministry of Digital Development and communications operators have developed a technical solution that will allow ATMs and payment terminals to operate even when mobile internet is disconnected. As the head of the Central Bank, Elvira Nabiullina, announced at the Congress of the Association of Russian Banks, operators, together with banks, have already begun testing, and any interested bank is ready to connect to the alternative mechanism.
In parallel, the Central Bank and the Ministry of Digital Development are discussing the inclusion of all Russian banks in the "white lists" of services available under communication restrictions. Currently, only five credit organizations are on the list, but the regulator insists that ideally, all licensed banks should be included. The process will be phased: the first stage will include systemically important and critical services, including insurers.
In March, Muscovites complained about disruptions in the operation of ATMs and terminals during communication outages. In May, operators warned of possible mobile internet restrictions. The presence of a backup channel means that even with local network outages, the payment infrastructure will continue to function.
