Residents of the DPR are forced to switch to a new mobile network

The quality of mobile connectivity in the LNR and DPR is deteriorating with each passing day. Residents of the occupied territories are being forced to purchase packages from the newly created "Republican Operator Phoenix".

Packages can only be purchased with a passport and an identification code, specifically a Ukrainian one. The new operator does not allow sending SMS or making calls to other networks. Thus, the terrorists are attempting to restrict the residents of the Republics' communication with the outside world.

«Фейковой республике - фейковая мобильная связь. (A fake republic gets fake mobile connectivity.)

In the so-called DPR, starter packages for their own mobile network, "Phoenix", have begun to be distributed. The "Republican Mobile Operator Phoenix" was established by armed groups based on seized "Kyivstar" equipment. Residents of the DPR were offered to purchase 5,000 cards, which can be used in test mode until 1 October 2015. As with everything in the young republic, the functions of "Phoenix" are limited – the SMS service and calls to other operators' phones are unavailable. There is also a peculiarity – a passport and an identification number are required for purchase. In the opinion of local residents, this is done to establish total control over them by the "DPR security services".

At the same time, the quality of MTS connectivity is deteriorating in the territory of Donetsk region occupied by armed groups. Local residents explain this by the fact that terrorists are conducting constant monitoring of the radio spectrum, as well as intentionally creating interference through the movement of DPR military vehicles equipped with antennas and radar installations.

The aim of such actions is obvious – to restrict the communication of residents of the occupied part with the outside world, to create an information vacuum, which is filled with the propaganda of the false prophets of the fake republic and their henchmen», - said Vyacheslav Abroskin, Head of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Donetsk region.