Yota
A Russian mobile virtual network operator and former wireless-broadband brand associated with the YotaPhone dual-screen smartphone.
Last updated August 22, 2026
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History
Yota's history began in 2006, when Denis Sverdlov and Sergey Adonev, co-owners of the Saint Petersburg company Korus, established Skartel. The new company pursued wireless broadband using WiMAX technology, at a time when Russia's mobile data market was moving toward faster metropolitan and regional connectivity. In 2008, Skartel became the first company in Russia to deploy WiMAX-standard networks in Moscow and Saint Petersburg. The networks operated in the 2.5–2.7 GHz band, which later also became important for Russian fourth-generation mobile networks. Yota subsequently began moving from WiMAX toward LTE. In 2010, the company announced plans for a subscription-based LTE network with proposed speeds of 20–30 Mbit/s. A trial network in Kazan was tested on 30 August 2010 and involved approximately 150 base stations, but the test was shut down the next day. Commercial deployment followed in stages. Novosibirsk was the first city identified in the reference material as receiving a commercial Yota LTE service, on 22 December 2011. Krasnodar followed on 29 April 2012, Moscow on 10 May, and Sochi on 11 May. Samara was connected in May 2013, while Ufa and Saint Petersburg were also subsequently added. On 9 May 2012, Yota's WiMAX network was replaced by LTE, marking a decisive change in the brand's technical platform. The LTE rollout was connected to a broader relationship with MegaFon. AF-Telecom and Skartel agreed to cooperate on the development of fourth-generation mobile networks in Russia through a mobile virtual network operator structure. The shareholders of the two companies announced completion of the transaction on 10 July 2012. Ownership information in the reference material identifies Garsdale Services Investment Ltd. as the owner of all Yota shares and half of MegaFon's shares. Garsdale was described as controlled by AF-Telecom, Telconet Capital, and Russian Technologies State Corporation. This arrangement placed Yota within a larger Russian telecommunications and investment structure while allowing the brand to retain a distinct consumer identity. The Yota name was also extended to hardware. In July 2011, Yota introduced the Yota One and Yota Many device family for its WiMAX network. Yota Many was a small portable Wi-Fi hotspot, while the Yota modem served as a network-access device for Yota's LTE service. These products were designed by the company rather than simply being rebranded earlier hardware. The associated Yota Devices business then pursued a more ambitious smartphone concept. On 12 December 2012, it announced a YotaPhone prototype with a 4.3-inch high-definition LCD display on the front and an electronic-ink display on the back. The prototype used Android, and further details were presented at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona in February 2013. The YotaPhone 2 later received international attention; in November 2014, Russian President Vladimir Putin gave one to Chinese Communist Party General Secretary Xi Jinping. Later reference material also identifies a Yota 3 model, although the available sources do not provide a complete commercial history for it. Yota's final corporate position is associated with legal and financial difficulty. In April 2019, the company filed for bankruptcy after a lawsuit by Hi-P Singapore, the manufacturer contracted to produce its devices. The bankruptcy is an important distinction between the historical Yota communications and hardware businesses and any later use of the brand. The supplied sources do not establish a complete post-bankruptcy ownership, service, or trademark history. Consequently, Yota should be documented as a Russian telecom brand with a historically significant broadband and device portfolio, while its present operating status remains unknown.
- 2019
Yota files for bankruptcy
[1]The company files for bankruptcy after litigation by contracted manufacturer Hi-P Singapore.
- 2014
YotaPhone 2 is presented as a diplomatic gift
[1]Vladimir Putin gives a YotaPhone 2 to Xi Jinping in November.
- 2013
YotaPhone receives further exposure at Mobile World Congress
[1]Yota Devices presents additional information about the dual-screen smartphone in Barcelona.
- 2012
Yota transitions from WiMAX to LTE
[1]Yota replaces its WiMAX service with LTE and expands coverage to additional Russian cities.
- 2012
YotaPhone prototype is announced
[1]Yota Devices reveals a smartphone prototype with conventional and electronic-ink displays.
- 2012
MegaFon and Skartel complete their network transaction
[1]The companies announce completion of an arrangement for joint LTE network development based on an MVNO model.
- 2011
Yota introduces Yota One and Yota Many
[1]The brand presents a new generation of WiMAX-compatible devices, including a portable hotspot.
- 2011
Commercial LTE launches in Novosibirsk
[1]Novosibirsk becomes the first city identified in the reference material for commercial Yota LTE service.
- 2010
LTE testing begins in Kazan
[1]Yota tests an LTE network in Kazan using approximately 150 base stations.
- 2008
WiMAX networks launch in Moscow and Saint Petersburg
[1]Skartel becomes the first company in Russia to deploy WiMAX-standard networks in the two major cities.
Products and positioning
A Russian connectivity brand positioned around mobile broadband, early 4G network adoption, and distinctive connected devices.
Wireless broadband network · 2008
Yota WiMAX
Yota's original wireless-broadband service used WiMAX technology and was deployed in Moscow and Saint Petersburg in 2008. The service operated in the 2.5–2.7 GHz range and represented the brand's first major network platform in Russia. It was later replaced by LTE as Yota shifted toward fourth-generation mobile broadband.
Mobile broadband network · 2011
Yota LTE
Yota's LTE network was developed as the successor to its WiMAX infrastructure. Testing began in Kazan in 2010, and commercial deployment began in Novosibirsk in December 2011 before expanding to cities including Krasnodar, Moscow, Sochi, Samara, Ufa, Saint Petersburg, Kazan, and Vladivostok. The service formed the core of Yota's later telecom proposition.
Mobile broadband device · 2011
Yota One
Yota One was part of a device family introduced in 2011 for compatibility with Yota's 4G WiMAX network. The available reference material identifies it as one of the company's internally designed products but does not provide detailed technical specifications or a complete sales history.
Portable Wi-Fi hotspot · 2011
Yota Many
Yota Many was a compact portable Wi-Fi hotspot designed for the Yota 4G WiMAX network. It was presented as smaller and more portable than an earlier device, extending Yota's network proposition into personal connectivity hardware.
Mobile broadband modem
Yota Modem
The Yota Modem was a network-access device intended for Yota's LTE service. The reference material describes it as somewhat larger and thicker than the Yota One, with a form designed for connecting users to Yota's mobile broadband network.
Smartphone · 2012
YotaPhone
YotaPhone was Yota Devices' signature smartphone concept. Its defining feature was a conventional front display paired with a rear electronic-ink screen, allowing the device to offer a second, low-power information surface. The first prototype was announced in 2012, used Android, and was subsequently developed into later models including YotaPhone 2.
Smartphone · 2014
YotaPhone 2
YotaPhone 2 was a later generation of the dual-screen smartphone line. It retained the central YotaPhone concept of combining a standard color display with an electronic-ink rear display and became the model most visibly associated with the brand's international profile, including its presentation as a gift to Xi Jinping in 2014.
Smartphone
Yota 3
Yota 3 is identified in the available reference material as a later Yota Devices smartphone generation. The supplied sources do not provide sufficient detail about its specifications, launch markets, or commercial performance.
Controversies
2019
Bankruptcy following manufacturer litigation
Yota filed for bankruptcy in April 2019 after a lawsuit brought by Hi-P Singapore, the contracted manufacturer of its devices. The available source identifies the litigation as the cause of the bankruptcy but does not provide a full account of the claims, settlement, or subsequent disposition of all related entities.
Brand decisions
2019
Bankruptcy filingOtherBackground
Yota faced litigation from Hi-P Singapore, the manufacturer contracted to produce its devices.
Action taken
The company filed for bankruptcy in April 2019.
Aftermath
The filing placed the continuation of Yota's corporate and brand activities in doubt. The supplied sources do not establish a complete post-bankruptcy outcome.
2012
Replacement of WiMAX with LTEGeneration changeBackground
Yota needed to transition its wireless-broadband network from WiMAX to the LTE standard selected for Russian fourth-generation deployments.
Action taken
On 9 May 2012, Yota replaced its WiMAX service with LTE and continued expanding LTE coverage across Russian cities.
Aftermath
The change aligned Yota's service with the emerging Russian 4G ecosystem and its cooperation with MegaFon.
2012
Network-development arrangement with MegaFonM&ABackground
AF-Telecom, MegaFon, and Skartel sought to coordinate fourth-generation network development while using a mobile virtual network operator model for Yota.
Action taken
The shareholders of MegaFon and Skartel announced completion of the transaction on 10 July 2012.
Aftermath
Yota became more closely connected to MegaFon's ownership and network structure, although the available material does not detail the full contractual terms.
2012
Development of the YotaPhoneProduct launchBackground
Yota Devices sought to extend the Yota brand from connectivity hardware into differentiated consumer electronics.
Action taken
The company announced a dual-screen Android smartphone prototype with a front LCD and rear electronic-ink display.
Aftermath
The concept became Yota's best-known consumer-electronics product and led to later YotaPhone generations.
2010
Move toward LTE broadbandStrategyBackground
Yota's initial network business was based on WiMAX, but the company planned to adopt LTE as a newer fourth-generation mobile broadband technology.
Action taken
The company announced a subscription LTE network and conducted a test deployment in Kazan.
Aftermath
LTE became Yota's principal network platform and subsequently replaced its WiMAX service.
Sources1 sources
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