LONDON and TBILISI, Georgia, October 2 /PRNewswire/ --

- With Photo

- Court rejects Megafon appeal, upholding fines by Georgian authorities for unlicensed operations in South Ossetia

On Thursday, the Administrative Panel of the Tbilisi City Court rejected an appeal filed by the Russian telecom company Megafon, upholding fines imposed against the company by the Georgian National Communications Commission (GNCC) for unlicensed use of the radio frequency spectrum to provide cell phone coverage within the country's sovereign territory.

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20081002/NY36579 )

The hearing was held to rule on a complaint filed by Megafon on July 10, 2008, disputing a GNCC fine of about US$3,500. The GNCC also imposed a second fine against Megafon on Sept. 23 of more than US$360,000 for allegedly expanding their operations before, during, and after the Russian invasion in August.

"We view this court finding as a very important step in bringing accountability to a foreign company operating within Georgian sovereign territory," said Giorgi Arveladze, the Chairman of the GNCC. "The fact that this Russian company has appealed these administrative sanctions within Georgia's legal system represents recognition of the court's jurisdiction over South Ossetia and other areas where we believe the company is providing unlicensed service."

As a result of today's court decision, Megafon is obliged to immediately pay the fine and cease all unauthorised activities in Georgia. Officials from the GNCC, who claim that the company has operated within Georgia since 2004, had previously accused Megafon of benefiting from and cooperating with Russia's military operations during the invasion, comparing the use of the spectrum to "economic annexation."

Before the war, Megafon only covered part of the former Autonomous Republic of South Ossetia, namely, Tskhinvali and Java regions. In August of 2008, during the Russian intervention on Georgian territory, the company expanded the coverage area and exceeded the conflict zone to include the regions of Gori and Kareli. A report issued by the GNCC on August 23 details this unauthorized use of radiofrequencies, which has also damaged the technical operations of licensed telecom providers Magticom and Geocell.

"Whenever you turn on a cell phone in Gori you are greeted with the message 'Welcome to the Russian network Megafon! Enjoy your stay here!'," continued Arveladze. "We are obligated to act in response to this blatantly transparent use of our radiofrequency without license or regulatory oversight. It is, however, a very positive sign that Megafon has chosen to engage within Georgia's legal system."

Megafon's appeal, rejected by the Tbilisi Civil Court today, denies any unlawful operations, coverage, or unlicensed use of radio spectrum within Georgian territory. However, in an interview given to the Moscow Times on Oct. 2, 2008, separatist leader Eduard Kokoity claims that "Megafon already covers the entire territory of South Ossetia and has 36,000 users signed on."

Note to Editors:

A picture accompanying this release is available through the PA Photowire. It can be viewed at http:www.mediapoint.press.net or www.prnewswire.co.uk

Alya Shakir for Georgian National Communications Commission, +44(0)779-539-6726, shakir@eastwestpr.co.uk