Georgian National Communications Commission imposed fine in the amount of 500 000 Georgian Lari on the Russian Cellular Communication Company “Megafon”. Despite the fact that GNCC had imposed administrative sanctions on “Megafon” previously, the Company still continues to provide the mobile telecommunication services on the territory of Georgia without any authorization and the required licenses and illegally uses the Georgian radiofrequency spectrum.

At the very beginning “Megafon” covered the part of the former Autonomous Republic of South Ossetia, namely, Tskhinvali and Java regions. In August of 2008 during the Russian intervention on the Georgian territory the company expanded the coverage area and exceeded the conflict zone. Namely, the coverage area now included the territory of the former Autonomous Republic of South Ossetia and beyond its administrative borders – Gori and Kareli regions. Unauthorized use of the radiofrequencies and illegal activities were established in the administrative violations report dated August 23. Today, for the given violation “Megafon” is fined with 500 000 GEL.

Furthermore, by economical annexation of the state owned radiofrequency spectrum, “Megafon” causes technical problems to the licensed companies operating in Georgia, “Magticom” and “Geocell”. The Commission also draws attention at the circumstances that, considering the “Megafon”’s economic intervention during the open and direct Russian occupation since August 7, 2008, the company might be involved in the Russian political and military plans. We believe that the illegal and unjustified participation of the private company in the political events is unacceptable and reprehensive.

Georgian National Communications Commission established the fact of unlicensed usage of the Georgian radiofrequency specter and unauthorized activities in Tskhinvali and its surrounding territories in June of the current year and on June 11, 2008 fined “Megafon” for unlicensed usage of the Georgian radiofrequency specter and unauthorized activities with 5000 GEL. The commission sent the documents of the case to the Prosecutor General’s Office.

Georgian National Communications Commission once again addresses the International Telecommunication Union, GSM Association, and Communication Regulation Administrations of all countries to take resolute measures to prevent the illegal activities of the Russian Company “Megafon” on the territory of Georgia. On its part, the Georgian National Communications Commission will exercise its legal rights in order to terminate the mentioned infringement.