Trade association the GSMA has reportedly booted Russian operator MegaFon off its books and the operator is now exploring legal measures to have its membership restored.
The trade association confirmed the news to daily newspaper Vedmosti but did not provide a reason for the operator’s expulsion. Other Russian operators remain on the GSMA’s roster such as MTS, Beeline and Rostelecom.
A MegaFon spokesperson told the newspaper the operator is surprised by the exclusion and notes there are no legal grounds for it. The operator is considering options to restore its status as an operator member.
MegaFon has also been excluded from the GSMA’s list of roaming partners, but MegaFon claimed this does not mean it is disconnected from international roaming, claiming it is only a referral list of partner operators and does not affect contractual obligations with partners to provide roaming. Roaming agreements are struck between operators with the GSMA not needed for the process, MegaFon explained.
MegaFon has been a member of the GSMA since 1995 when the association was set up.
