Clash between internet providers continues

Over 20,000 customers of Georgian ISP Caucasus Online have been disconnected, following deliberate sabotage of network equipment in the Isani district of the capital Tblisi, according to a report in The Georgian Times. Investigating engineers found cables in underground conduits had been set on fire, and say repairs will take five days. Without further speculation, the report mentioned Caucasus Online has unpaid arrears with telco and rival ISP United Telecom Georgia for use of underground cable trenches belonging to UTG. The two firms publicly disagreed earlier this year over the use of cable ducts, with UTG saying that Caucasus Online was carrying out unauthorised work therein, which the former considered ‘vandalism’. Caucasus Online is dominant in the Georgian internet market, with over 90% of all subscriptions, but with little network of its own, it is dependent on connections via the PSTN.