Lumen, a U.S. Internet Service Provider (ISP), says it’s pulling out of Russia in response to the Country’s Invasion of Ukraine.
It’s the Second Major ISP Company to do so in less than a week, following a similar Announcement from rival Cogent last Friday, and is the latest example of a ‘Digital Iron Curtain’ growing between Russia and the West.
“We have not yet experienced network disruptions, but given the increasingly uncertain environment and the heightened risk of state action, we took this move to ensure the security of our and our customers’ networks, as well as the ongoing integrity of the global Internet,” said Lumen.
The Firm said that it has No Consumer Customers in Russia, and that the Business Services it provides there “are extremely small.”
This Statement, does Not seem to fully reflect the scope of Lumen’s Business, though. Network Analyst firm Kentik, says Lumen is “the top international transit provider to Russia.” and that its Customers include the Country’s Biggest Telecoms firm, Rostelecom; the Major Broadband Provider TransTelecom (TTK); and Three Large Mobile Operators: MTS, Megafon, and VEON.
These Companies can switch to Services provided by other Firms, but the Loss of first Cogent and then Lumen, will Strain existing Capabilities and likely disrupt Internet Services in Russia. As Doug Madory, Director of Kentik said: “This is going to add up. It would be noticeable, I think.”
It’s the latest example of Russia’s increasing Isolation from Western ISPs, a trend that includes Russia Blocking or Restricting Access to Social Media Platforms, like Twitter and Facebook, as well as U.S. firms Limiting Services they offer in Russia. This includes Companies like Google and YouTube Shutting Down Ad Sales in the Country, and Amazon Web Services Blocking New Russian Cloud Computing Accounts.
While some Experts argue that these Measures, are a necessary part of the Broader Package of Economic Sanctions levied against Russia, others Argue that these moves will only Isolate the Country further, and will Limit the Ability of its Citizens to access Independent News on the War in Ukraine.
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