MegaFon leads Russia in mobile internet shutdowns. ...

MegaFon leads Russia in the number of mobile internet shutdowns. The operator also experienced the most extensive disruptions during yesterday’s shutdown in Moscow

MegaFon had the most shutdowns among Russia’s largest mobile operators, according to data reviewed by Verstka from Amnezia Pulse, a project that monitors internet availability.

Measurements were taken in May, September and October of this year. MegaFon had a total of 68 shutdowns during those months: 35 in May, 13 in September and 20 in October. For example, in mid-October, mobile internet stopped working in the Chelyabinsk, Sverdlovsk and Nizhny Novgorod regions. According to the data, the shutdown began abruptly and lasted about eight hours.

T2 followed MegaFon with 55 incidents, most of which occurred in May. Beeline recorded 51 shutdowns over the same period, about half of them also in that spring month. MTS had slightly fewer shutdowns, with 50.

According to Amnezia Pulse, MegaFon also saw the largest drop in traffic in Moscow on the first day of the announced restrictions related to the Russia–Africa summit (shown in the screenshot).

Speeds dropped sharply during the day Moscow time and remained low for several hours. At the same time, judging by the graphs, data speeds on other mobile operators’ networks were within expected ranges.

💜Earlier, the Ministry of Digital Development said that mobile internet restrictions could be introduced within Moscow’s Third Ring Road on October 27–29. The restrictions are expected to begin at 11:30 on the first two days and at 9:30 on the final day. Officials said the restrictions were needed to ensure security during the summit of heads of state and government of the Gas Exporting Countries Forum member countries and the Russia–Africa summit.

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