A1 confirms commitment to comply with law, ensure transparency on interference with public access to internet
<p> MINSK, Oct 30 - PrimePress. A1, Belarusian provider of telecom, ICT and content services, reaffirms its commitment to comply with the law and to ensure transparency regarding interference with public access to the Internet. </p> <p> </p> <p> The operator made a statement to this effect in a letter in response to an appeal from the international coalition #KeepItOn, which is fighting internet blackouts around the world and brings together over 220 member organisations from 99 countries, calling on telecommunications service providers in Belarus to be transparent and counteract internet blackouts. </p> <p> </p> <p> In its response, A1 expressed concern over the past and ongoing partial and complete disabling of the Internet at the request of relevant state authorities. The statement points out that A1, like all other operators in Belarus, is experiencing difficulties in providing services to its customers both because of the actions of government providers, which have monopoly access to the external communication channel, and because of the need to meet the requirements of the competent authorities of Belarus to reduce the capacity of the mobile Internet. </p> <p> </p> <p> As stated in the letter, A1 Telekom Austria Group has previously shared a public comment with the European Telecommunications Network Operators (ETNO) on the stance of its Belarusian subsidiary on the current situation tin Belarus. It is emphasized in the letter that A1 in Belarus is unable to provide communication services without the use of monopolised services provided by the state, as national and international, voice and internet communications are all under the full control of government agencies. </p> <p> </p> <p> Besides, A1 points out that failure to meet the requirements of the authorities to reduce mobile Internet bandwidth could lead to a wider range of restrictive measures. </p> <p> </p> <p> A1 confirmed its intention to cooperate with the organization to counteract Internet blackouts in order to be informed about the situation in Belarus. </p> <p> </p> <p> As previously reported, on 4, 11, 18 and 25 October, 6, 13, 20 and 27 September, 26, 23 and 31 August mobile operators admitted to having reduced the capacity of the data transmission network in Minsk by order of government agencies. To compensate for the lack of access to services, operators in due time offered subscribers a number of bonuses. </p> <p> </p> <p> A1 (velcom until August 2019) was established in 1998.The company began commercial operations on April 16, 1999. At present, A1 Telekom Austria Group owns 100% of the company. The operator began commercial operation of the 3G network (HSPA and HSPA+) in March 2010, and has been providing 4G services since March 2019. The number of subscribers was reported at 4.882 million in the third quarter of 2020. End </p>
2020-10-31
Primepress
A1 confirms commitment to comply with law, ensure transparency on interference with public access to internet
MINSK, Oct 30 - PrimePress. A1, Belarusian provider of telecom, ICT and content services, reaffirms its commitment to comply with the law and to ensure transparency regarding interference with public access to the Internet.
The operator made a statement to this effect in a letter in response to an appeal from the international coalition #KeepItOn, which is fighting internet blackouts around the world and brings together over 220 member organisations from 99 countries, calling on telecommunications service providers in Belarus to be transparent and counteract internet blackouts.
In its response, A1 expressed concern over the past and ongoing partial and complete disabling of the Internet at the request of relevant state authorities. The statement points out that A1, like all other operators in Belarus, is experiencing difficulties in providing services to its customers both because of the actions of government providers, which have monopoly access to the external communication channel, and because of the need to meet the requirements of the competent authorities of Belarus to reduce the capacity of the mobile Internet.
As stated in the letter, A1 Telekom Austria Group has previously shared a public comment with the European Telecommunications Network Operators (ETNO) on the stance of its Belarusian subsidiary on the current situation tin Belarus. It is emphasized in the letter that A1 in Belarus is unable to provide communication services without the use of monopolised services provided by the state, as national and international, voice and internet communications are all under the full control of government agencies.
Besides, A1 points out that failure to meet the requirements of the authorities to reduce mobile Internet bandwidth could lead to a wider range of restrictive measures.
A1 confirmed its intention to cooperate with the organization to counteract Internet blackouts in order to be informed about the situation in Belarus.
As previously reported, on 4, 11, 18 and 25 October, 6, 13, 20 and 27 September, 26, 23 and 31 August mobile operators admitted to having reduced the capacity of the data transmission network in Minsk by order of government agencies. To compensate for the lack of access to services, operators in due time offered subscribers a number of bonuses.
A1 (velcom until August 2019) was established in 1998.The company began commercial operations on April 16, 1999. At present, A1 Telekom Austria Group owns 100% of the company. The operator began commercial operation of the 3G network (HSPA and HSPA+) in March 2010, and has been providing 4G services since March 2019. The number of subscribers was reported at 4.882 million in the third quarter of 2020. End