Mobile communication disruptions are still primarily caused by power outage

RIGA - Prolonged power outages in certain regions remain the main cause of mobile network disruptions, mobile network operators Bite Latvija and Tele2 told LETA.

Bite Latvija noted that following the power outage caused by the severe storm, the majority of Bite Latvija mobile communications and internet services have been restored. As of Tuesday morning, external power had not yet been restored at 33 of the company’s base stations, primarily in less populated areas. In most cases, service availability is ensured by backup solutions, so the disruptions currently affect less than 1 percent of Bite Latvija customers.

Communication disruptions are still being observed in certain areas, including the regions around Bauska, Ludza, Kraslava, Preili, Rezekne, Jekabpils, Aizkraukle, Ogre, Tukums, and Cesis. In cities, communication services have largely been fully restored.

The company noted that the main cause of the disruptions remains prolonged power outages in certain regions. According to information provided by the Ministry of Climate and Energy, significant improvements in restoring power on a broader scale are expected on Tuesday after 5 p.m., which will allow the remaining communications infrastructure facilities to resume operations as well.

Bite Latvija network team continues to work on resolving the remaining disruptions.

Tele2 also told LETA that power has not yet been fully restored throughout Latvia, and for this reason, communication disruptions are still being observed in certain areas, such as the Ogre, Aizkraukle, and Jekabpils regions.

Currently, more than 90 percent of the disruptions have been resolved. Some stations continue to operate using generators until a permanent power connection is restored, Tele2 noted.

As reported, on Saturday, August 22, and the following night, Latvia was hit by the strongest summer storm in decades, with wind speeds exceeding 30 meters per second in some areas. The storm caused extensive damage to both the distribution and transmission power grids, initially cutting off power to approximately 277,000 customers in Latvia, but power outages in many areas were followed by disrupted communications, closed gas stations, and, in some places, closed stores.

As of Tuesday morning, approximately 31,000 customers throughout Latvia were still experiencing power outages. The most significant power outages continue to be in Ogre and Ogre municipality, as well as in Aizkraukle, Preili, Rezekne, Jekabpils, and Bauska municipalities.