Uzbekistan authorities have ordered mobile operators to cut off Internet, text, and image messaging services to prevent students from cheating during the entry exams to universities on 1 August, writes RIA Novosti.
The services were suspended to all subscribers throughout the country for the five hours scheduled for the universities admission exam, from 08.30 to 12.30 local time.
In 2011, some people were seen openly using their mobiles after bribing the proctors, Radio Free Europe reports. As told by RFE in their story, corruption, bribing and paying others to take the test in your place are common practices in a country where there is, on average, eight students competing for one university spot.
Speaking of Uzbekistan and suspended mobile services, the country authorities have extended the suspension of Russian telecommunication company MTS’s license to operate for another three months.
Image courtesy of Flickr user Francis Storr.