UPDATE 2: Connection problems with Russian cell operators, antitrust

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MOSCOW, May 19 (PRIME) -- Mobile operator MegaFon, which services a third of Russia’s subscribers, as well as VimpelCom, working as Beeline, and Scartel have serious connection problems, which they are trying to solve, the operators said on Friday on their Twitter microblogs.

“Massive problems in connection are being registered. We’re fixing them,” MegaFon said, referring to Moscow and several other cities. “Calling success has fallen by 30%. Calls are available via messengers.”

MegaFon has 75.6 million clients.

“We’re well aware of the situation and are mending it,” VimpelCom said.

Networks of the country’s two other leading mobile operators, MTS and T2 RTK Holding, working as Tele2, are performing regularly, as the companies said.

The Federal Antimonopoly Service is also having problems with telephony and Internet connection.

“A blackout in the building of the Federal Antimonopoly Service has provoked the failure. Repairs are well under way. No data have been damaged. It has nothing to do with the function of MegaFon’s network,” the antitrust service said in a statement.

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