GNCC Fines Russia’s Mobile Operator

The Georgian National Communications Commission (GNCC) fined Russia’s number three mobile operator, MegaFon, for allegedly illegally operating a network in the South Ossetian conflict zone.

According to the GNCC’s decision dated June 11, MegaFon must pay GEL 5,000 (about USD 3,520) within 30 days for unauthorized operations in breakaway South Ossetia.

GNCC also said that two Georgian mobile operators – Magti and Geocell – had complained to the commission that they suffered “significant” losses as a result of MegaFon’s “unlicensed operations” in the region since 2004.

Reuters reported that MegaFon denied it operated on Georgian territory and said it could not stop people from accessing its services from base stations in Russia’s North Ossetian Republic.

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