Telecommunications company offers unrestricted access to news websites at no cost
In a move aimed at providing users with unhindered access to real-time coverage of the upcoming Russia-USA summit, telecommunications giant Megafon has announced a temporary suspension of mobile internet access for leading Russian news resources. The suspension, which will take effect from August 15 and last until August 17, will not affect access via other means like desktop internet or television.
The list of resources affected includes RIA Novosti, TASS, Interfax, RBC, Kommersant, Vedomosti, Izvestia, Gazeta.Ru, Lenta.ru, NTV, First Channel, VGTRK, RT, and Ura.ru. Megafon's Commercial Director, Dmitry Rudskikh, emphasised the importance of fast and convenient access to reliable information during these days.
Contrary to some speculations, there is no evidence from available information that Megafon specifically zeroed out or blocked mobile internet access to major Russian news sites during any Russia-USA summit in August 2021. The reported internet censorship and disruptions in Russia are from later years (2025) and involve different contexts.
The upcoming Russia-USA summit, scheduled for August 15 in Alaska, will mark the first face-to-face meeting between President Vladimir Putin and American leader Donald Trump since 2019. The summit is expected to focus on the Ukraine conflict, among other issues.
Megafon's decision to suspend mobile internet access for news resources is likely to impact a large number of mobile internet users in Russia during the specified period. However, subscribers will still be able to read news and watch video and text broadcasts during this time, as the suspension is specific to mobile internet and does not affect access to these news resources via other means like desktop internet or television.
It's worth noting that external links, including social media and video hosting sites, will be charged according to the current tariff plan. Also, no additional service is required for this zeroing out of traffic. The list of sites with free access includes federal TV channels, business publications, and popular public media in the country.
Megafon wants its subscribers to stay informed about events without worrying about their remaining internet packages. This move is part of the company's commitment to ensuring its users have access to the information they need during significant events.
- Despite the temporary mobile internet suspension on leading Russian news resources such as RIA Novosti, TASS, Interfax, and others from August 15 to 17, users can still access these resources via desktop internet or television.
- In the upcoming Russia-USA summit scheduled on August 15 in Alaska, politics and general news sites like RBC, Kommersant, Vedomosti, Izvestia, Gazeta.Ru, Lenta.ru, NTV, First Channel, VGTRK, RT, and Ura.ru, may be impacted due to Megafon's decision to suspend mobile internet access for these resources.
