UPDATE 2: MTS, Tele2 networks functioning regularly in St Pete metro

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MOSCOW, Apr 3 (PRIME) -- Networks of all Russian mobile operators are working normally in St. Petersburg despite explosions in the city’s underground, companies’ officials said on Monday.

“The MTS network functions in a normal mode, and technical specialists are monitoring the situation. We are quickly expanding capacity of networks to handle traffic so that subscribers can get in touch with each other,” MTS’ spokesman Dmitry Solodovnikov said.

Konstantin Prokshin, head of the strategic communications department at T2 RTK Holding, said that “the Tele2 network in the underground and in the city works normally.”

MegaFon registered a strong increase in loading on the city’s network after the blasts that caused multiple deaths and injuries.

“Mobile connection of MegaFon in the St. Petersburg metro is working faultlessly, but loading has jumped. We’ve taken measures to expand the network’s capacities,” head of the operator’s press service Yulia Dorokhina said.

A spokesperson for VimpelCom, known as Beeline, said the operator’s local network is working normally.

“We’re registering a multiple increase in load on the network and took required measures to expand the capacity. We’re ready to help the Emergency Ministry with SMS notifications of subscribers,” the spokesperson said.

A source from emergency services said that the explosions took place at two stations of the St. Petersburg metro.

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