WASHINGTON—The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has proposed a fine of $660,639 for a small Montana wireless carrier that commissioners said has been indirectly controlled by Russian oligarchs since at least 2011.
The FCC voted 4-0 to fine London-based Truphone Ltd, the owner of Montana-based iSmart Mobile, for exceeding statutory limits for ownership by foreign individuals or entities tied to FCC-issued licenses without FCC approval. The FCC is also requiring Truphone to promptly file corrective transfer of control applications.
FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel said the commission in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine “launched an internal assessment of Russian ownership of telecommunications interests in the United States” and said the action against Truphone was a result of that review.
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