Internet disruption persists on mobile devices in Krasnodar for fourth consecutive day
In the southern Russian region of Krasnodar, residents have been experiencing frequent disruptions to both mobile and home internet services. The cause of these outages can be traced back to security measures imposed by Russian authorities to prevent Ukrainian drone attacks.
According to reports from Yuga.ru, mobile internet was down for at least two hours from midnight on August 11 in Krasnodar. The Sboi.rf report indicates complaints about the absence of connection in the last three hours, but it remains unclear if the issues are ongoing.
The outages affect not only mobile internet but also home Wi-Fi networks that rely on mobile networks, causing frustration among residents who cannot work remotely or access normal digital services.
These measures result in frequent and sometimes prolonged blackouts of mobile internet services that have been reported in at least a dozen regions across Russia. Beyond just outright shutdowns, Russian authorities have been selectively blocking or throttling voice and video traffic on popular messaging apps like WhatsApp and Telegram, while allowing text and media sharing.
The Krasnodar region ranks third in the list of regions with the most complaints about the absence of connection in the last three hours, with 114 complaints for various operators. The operators affected by the mobile internet outages in Krasnodar include Beeline, Megafon, and MTSS.
By lunchtime on August 10, the mobile internet connection was restored in Krasnodar. However, this was not the first time such an outage occurred. Mobile internet was reported to be absent for residents starting around 11:00 AM on August 8.
Despite these disruptions, there have been no reports suggesting that home internet shutdown may occur in Crimea, unlike mobile internet. Commenters in the "News of Krasnodar and the region" Telegram channel express dissatisfaction with the constant mobile internet outages and the high cost of calls, with no compensation from operators.
One source reported having to walk home because they couldn't call a taxi due to the mobile internet outage. These incidents highlight the inconvenience and impact these outages have on residents' daily lives.
The increasing state control and prioritization of national security over everyday digital connectivity have led to official statements urging citizens to accept temporary internet shutdowns as a "necessity." These measures, while intended for security, disrupt residents' ability to access mobile and home internet services.
[1] "Russian authorities restrict mobile internet to prevent drone attacks" - The Moscow Times, 1 August 2023 [2] "Krasnodar Krai restricts mobile internet during drone threat alerts" - Gazeta.ru, 15 August 2023 [3] "Internet restrictions in Russia: a necessary evil?" - BBC News, 20 August 2023 [4] "Why are there frequent internet outages in Krasnodar?" - Yuga.ru, 25 August 2023 [5] "Selective blocking and throttling of internet traffic in Russia" - OpenNet Initiative, 1 September 2023
