If the definition of madness is trying the same thing and expecting a different result, Russia’s mobile operators are verging on insanity. Despite repeated and ugly failures to share networks between the main four MNOs, two of them – MegaFon and Rostelecom – say they are exploring a joint venture to deploy a single 5G infrastructure. This brings back memories of an attempt by the Russian government, at the start of the decade, to reduce the cost of LTE roll-out and accelerate deployment, by creating a single wholesale network, to be shared and co-financed by the three main MNOs (Vimpelcom, now Veon; MTS and MegaFon); plus Rostelecom, the wireline incumbent, which only entered the mobile market at the 4G stage.…