Residents of the Novosibirsk region are being advised to prepare for potential mobile internet shutdowns by taking precautions such as carrying cash and downloading important documents. The Ministry of Digital Development of the Novosibirsk Region has issued a memo to residents outlining these recommendations.

The advisory comes after Novosibirsk residents experienced their first mobile internet outage in June.

The ministry emphasizes that disruptions to mobile internet service will not affect payment terminals and ATMs connected via Wi-Fi and wired networks. Sergei Tsukar, the Minister of Digital Development of the region, stated that wired internet, Wi-Fi, voice communication, SMS messages, and emergency calls will remain functional even if mobile internet is temporarily unavailable or slowed down.

To prepare for potential disruptions, residents are advised to carry cash for transactions. The ministry suggests completing mandatory money transfers and payments for loans, utilities, fines, and online purchases using devices connected to wired internet or home Wi-Fi in advance.

Residents are also encouraged to ensure they have access to essential documents and information by printing them or saving them to their devices. This includes items such as train tickets, plane tickets, concert tickets, hotel reservations, offline maps, and travel routes. It is also recommended to take screenshots of important information like schedules and opening hours.

The Ministry of Digital Development also warns residents about potential scams that may occur during internet disruptions. Scammers may impersonate bank employees and attempt to obtain personal information. Citizens are advised not to answer suspicious calls or messages, never to disclose passwords, SMS codes, or card details over the phone, and to only use verified Wi-Fi hotspots for banking applications.