GNCC monitoring Russian MTS’s radiofrequency usage

GNCC (Georgian National Communications Commission) started monitoring of the radiofrequency spectrum usage by Russian cellular company MTS and in case the violation is confirmed, the commission will take appropriate administrative proceedings, the Commission says in its release.

This statement followed the Governments criticism towards GNCC because of the Russian cellular companies illegal operations in the occupied territories of Georgia.

However, GNCC claims that in 2008-2010 they imposed fines on several Russian companies for illegal activities in the occupied territories of Georgia. The companies have already been sanctioned by the controlling body are Russian Megaphone, charged five times by the commission and last occurrence amounted for million GEL fine. Also, Public Broadcaster of Russian Federation, TV Radio company Rossia and TV channels -  ???,???+ and ??-????? have been sanctioned twice and the amount of the fine was first 50,000 GEL for each, then - 500,000.

"Unfortunately there were no reactions towards the commissions measures on both, domestic and international level, reads the release distributed by GNCC.

Despite all this, GNCC welcomes Georgian governments interest towards illegal activities of the Russian private sector in the occupied territories of Georgia and expresses readiness to cooperate in development of effective mechanisms to stop those activities.