Wireless internet in the metro is no longer a luxury, but a standard service for millions of passengers. The Moscow metro, one of the busiest in the world, has become a pioneer in Russia in implementing it. free Wi-Fi at all stations and in tunnels. But when exactly did this capability become available? How has the technology evolved since 2013, and what does Mosmetro offer passengers today? In this article, we'll take a detailed look at the launch history, technical nuances, and the current state of the network—from the first experiments to modern standards. Wi-Fi 6.
Many people mistakenly think that Wi-Fi has been available in the metro "forever" or "a long time ago," but in reality, it was a long process with several stages. Passengers over 30 remember a time when the subway was a "black hole" for mobile communications, and high-speed internet was just a dream. Today, the situation has changed dramatically—but how exactly did this happen?
We analyzed the official data Moscow Department of Transport, press releases MTS And MaximyTelecom (network operators), as well as passenger reviews over the past 10 years. In this article, you'll find not only dates, but also answers to questions such as why the first tests were carried out on Circle line, how the problem of coverage in tunnels was solved, and why internet speed in the metro can still drop during rush hour.
2013: First tests on the Circle Line
The official launch of the Wi-Fi implementation project in the Moscow metro took place on June 2013It was then that at four stations Circle line — "Park Kultury," "Oktyabrskaya," "Paveletskaya," and "Taganskaya" — the first access points were installed. This stage was exclusively experimental nature: the operator was the company MaximaTelecom, and access to the network was limited in time and number of connections.
Technologically, the network operated on the standard 802.11n (Wi-Fi 4), which was a progressive solution by 2013 standards. However, passengers encountered a number of issues:
- 🔴 Time limit: the session lasted only 15 minutes, after which re-authorization was required.
- 🔴 Low bandwidth: in large crowds, the speed dropped to 1–2 Mbps.
- 🔴 Lack of coverage in tunnels: Wi-Fi only worked on station platforms.
Despite the shortcomings, the project was considered a success: in the first month, more than 500 thousand passengersThis signaled the expansion of coverage. By the end of 2013, Wi-Fi was available at all stations on the Circle Line, as well as at key transfer hubs such as Komsomolskaya and Tretyakovskaya.
2014–2016: Coverage expansion and operator change
In 2014, the project entered its active phase: MaximaTelecom began installing equipment at stations Zamoskvoretskaya And Arbatsko-Pokrovskaya lines. By June 2014, Wi-Fi was already working on 50 stations, and by the end of the year the coverage reached 100 stations (about 40% of the total).
An important event was 2015, when the network operator instead MaximaTelecom became MTSThis decision was driven by the need to modernize the infrastructure: MTS offered more modern equipment and promised to solve the problem of "dead zones" in the tunnels. Passengers immediately noticed the improvements:
- ✅ Increase session time to 30 minutes.
- ✅ The appearance of the coating in tunnels between stations (in some areas).
- ✅ Increase speed to 10–15 Mbps during peak hours.
However, full coverage of all metro lines was never achieved. The reason was technical difficulties: laying cables in tunnels required approval from State Unitary Enterprise "Mosmetro" and temporary restrictions on train traffic. Furthermore, at some stations (for example, deep-level ones), the signal penetrated poorly through concrete structures.
2017–2019: Full coverage of stations and transition to Wi-Fi 5
The key year was 2017, when Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin set the task of providing Wi-Fi on all metro stations by the end of the year. For this MTS launched a large-scale campaign to install more than 3,000 new access pointsNow the network was working on the standard 802.11ac (Wi-Fi 5), which allowed to increase the speed up to 50–70 Mbps under ideal conditions.
By December 2017, Wi-Fi was available all 200+ Moscow metro stations, including stations Butovskaya line And monorailHowever, coverage in the tunnels remained fragmented: the Internet only worked on 30% of distillations (mainly in new areas such as Nekrasovskaya Line).
In 2018–2019, the main efforts were directed at:
- 📶 Improving the surface in tunnels: installation of repeaters and directional antennas.
- 🔒 Simplifying authorization: cancel SMS confirmation for regular users.
- 📊 Load monitoring: implementation of traffic analysis systems to prevent overloads.
Interesting fact: in 2019 MTS tested the technology Wi-Fi 6 at Vystavochnaya station, but the mass implementation of the new standard only began in 2022.
Why does Wi-Fi work worse in tunnels than at stations?
In tunnels, the signal is weakened due to interference (the overlapping of waves from multiple access points) and the shielding effect of the metal structures of the cars. Furthermore, the train's speed (up to 90 km/h) requires frequent reconnection between access points, which creates delays.
2020–2022: pandemic, Wi-Fi 6 and integration with MCC
Year 2020 The COVID-19 pandemic has put metro infrastructure to the test. On the one hand, passenger traffic has temporarily decreased, which has relieved network congestion. On the other hand, internet usage has increased as people have begun to use online services more actively in the metro (for example, ordering delivery or working remotely).
In response to this MTS launched a pilot project for the implementation Wi-Fi 6 (standard 802.11ax) on 10 stations, including Belorusskaya, Kurskaya, and VDNKh. The new standard allowed:
- ⚡ Increase speed to 100+ Mbps even with a large number of connections.
- 👥 Maintain up to 4,000 devices per access point (versus 250 for Wi-Fi 5).
- 🔋 Reduce the energy consumption of devices through technology TWT (Target Wake Time).
In addition, in 2021, Wi-Fi appeared on all stations of the Moscow Central Circle (MCC), and also on MCD-1 and MCD-2Now passengers could stay in touch even when transferring between modes of transport.
2023–2026: Current state of the network and future plans
As of today (2026), Wi-Fi in the Moscow metro works at all 270+ stations, including new areas such as Big Ring Line And Nekrasovskaya LineThe coverage in the tunnels has been achieved at 85% of distillations, and modernization is underway on the remaining sections.
Current network characteristics:
| Parameter | Meaning (2026) |
|---|---|
| Wi-Fi standard | Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) + Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) at key stations |
| Maximum speed | Up to 150 Mbps (actual - 30–80 Mbps depending on the load) |
| Session time | Unlimited after first login |
| Number of access points | More than 10,000 (including tunnels) |
| IPv6 support | Yes (from 2023) |
In 2026 MTS announced plans for a complete transition to Wi-Fi 6E (with support for the 6 GHz frequency), which should increase throughput by another 2-3 times. Work is also underway on integrating Wi-Fi with systems payment for travel (for example, for contactless top-up of the Troika card directly from a smartphone).
⚠️ AttentionMetro Wi-Fi rates and connection conditions are subject to change. For example, in 2023, new users were temporarily required to log in through the government services portal. For up-to-date information, please visit the website. Mosmetro or in the mobile app.
Technical details: how Wi-Fi works in the metro
Many passengers don't think about how Wi-Fi works in the subway. In reality, it's a complex infrastructure that includes:
- 📡 Access points: installed at stations and in tunnels at intervals of 100–150 meters.
- 🔌 Fiber optic network: the laying of cables was carried out in parallel with the modernization of the metro.
- 🖥️ Data centers: located in the technical rooms of the subway.
- 🔄 Reservation systems: backup communication channels in case of emergencies.
Features of the tunnel covering:
- 🚇 For a stable signal, use directional antennas with a narrow radiation pattern.
- 📶 Trains are equipped with repeaters, which amplify the signal inside the cars.
- ⚡ Speeds in tunnels are usually lower than at stations due to the need for frequent reconnections between points.
It is interesting that the system is used for authorization on the network Captive Portal, which redirects the user to the login page upon first connection. After successful authorization (via SMS or the government services portal), the device gains access to 30 days, after which re-confirmation is required.
1. Turn on Wi-Fi on your device
2. Select a network MT_FREE or _MT_FREE_
3. Open your browser (the login page will open automatically)
4. Log in via SMS or public services (only when connecting for the first time)
5. Enjoy the Internet (session is not limited in time)-->
Problems and how to solve them: advice for passengers
Despite modern infrastructure, passengers still encounter issues using Wi-Fi in the metro. Here are the most common issues and how to resolve them:
🔹 Problem: No network at the station
- 🔄 Restart your device's Wi-Fi or turn Airplane mode on/off.
- 📱 Check if you have a VPN enabled—some services block the captive portal.
- 📡 Try connecting to an alternative network
_MT_FREE_.
🔹 Problem: Slow speed during rush hours
- ⏳ Wait 1–2 minutes – sometimes the speed is restored after the load is reduced.
- 📲 Close background apps that consume data (such as updates or cloud backups).
- 🔗 Use instant messengers in traffic saving mode (for example,
Lite versionsapplications).
🔹 Problem: Connection keeps dropping in tunnels
- 🚇 This is normal - in some tunnels the surface has not yet fully stabilized.
- 📎 Enable the "Auto-connect to Wi-Fi" option on your device (on Android:
Settings → Network & Internet → Wi-Fi → Advanced). - 🔄 If the connection is lost, try reconnecting to the network manually.
⚠️ Attention: In some carriages of new trains (for example, series 81-775/776/777) have their own access points installed. If regular Wi-Fi is unstable, try connecting to a network called MoskvaMetro_Free - This is an experimental coating inside the carriages.
FAQ: Frequently asked questions about Wi-Fi in the Moscow metro
❓ Do I have to pay for Wi-Fi in the metro?
No, there is no Wi-Fi in the Moscow metro. free For all passengers. No payment is required upon activation or during use. However, initial authorization may require confirmation via SMS (free) or the government services portal.
Why does the Wi-Fi in the metro ask me to log in every time?
If your device does not save the session, this may be due to:
- 📵 By resetting the network settings on your phone.
- 🔄 Changing the device's MAC address (for example, after rebooting the router in access point mode).
- ⏳ Expiration of the 30-day authorization period (re-confirmation required).
Solution: Check your device's Wi-Fi settings or sign in again.
❓ Can I use Wi-Fi on the metro without a Russian phone number?
Yes, from 2023 authorization is possible through government services portal (for users with a verified account). Also, some foreign operators (for example, Ubigi or Airalo) offer Wi-Fi access in the metro via their SIM cards.
❓ What is the actual Wi-Fi speed in the metro?
Actual speed depends on:
- 🕒 Time of day: during peak hours (7:00–10:00 and 17:00–20:00) the speed may drop to 5–20 Mbps.
- 📍 Locations: at stations the speed is higher (up to 50–80 Mbps), in the tunnels - below (up to 10–30 Mbps).
- 📱 Device models: older smartphones (before Wi-Fi 4) will work slower.
To check the speed you can use services like Speedtest or Yandex Internetometer.
❓ Will the metro support Wi-Fi 7?
At the moment (2026) the metro uses Wi-Fi 6, and in some areas it still works Wi-Fi 5Transition to Wi-Fi 7 (standard 802.11be) has not yet been announced, but given the pace of modernization, we can expect test zones no earlier than 2026–2026.