Altay cellphone system tower

The Altay cellphone system tower is a 130-meter-tall communication structure in Saint Petersburg featuring a metal framework design located on Komissara Smirnova Street. The installation holds multiple pieces of telecommunications equipment that support cellular network coverage across the surrounding area.

The tower was built in 1978 as part of the Soviet Altay mobile system and operated it until 1990. After the USSR dissolved, Rostelecom took over the facility and adapted it for contemporary telecommunications services.

The tower represents the technological advancement of Soviet telecommunications, demonstrating the commitment to establishing mobile communications across major Russian cities.

The tower stands in a public area and is visible from the street but cannot be entered, as it remains an active telecommunications facility. Visitors can photograph the structure from outside and observe its distinctive construction design from a distance.

The Altay system initially operated on UHF and VHF frequencies at 150 MHz but was later upgraded to 330 MHz to support up to 22 independent channels. This frequency shift allowed the network to handle significantly more users simultaneously.

Location: Finlyandsky

Inception: 1978

Height: 130 m

Address: Россия, Санкт-Петербург, улица Комиссара Смирнова, дом 3 литера Г

GPS coordinates: 59.96306,30.35472

Latest update: December 14, 2025 12:22