Willl Russian ‘Systema Telecom’ buy ‘Armentel’

AZG Armenian Daily #086, 13/05/2005

Telecommunication

WILL RUSSIAN ‘SYSTEMA TELECOM’ BUY ‘ARMENTEL’?

The Russian “Systema Telecom” holding that includes MTC mobile operator,
doesn’t exclude the opportunity to purchase “ArmenTel.” Mediamax agency
informed that Vladimir Lagutin, head of “Systema Telecom”, said in an
interview to the Russian Vedomosty newspaper that they are thinking of
purchasing “ArmenTel”.

Lagutin added that “Systema Telecom” is also interested in Magticom-Azercall
mobile operators that functions in Georgia and Azerbaijan. Lagutin said that
the goal of their company is to cover the whole territory of CIS.

At the end of 2003, Alexander Vronets, deputy director of “Systema Telecom”
stated that “Armenia was chosen out of the company’s interests,” adding that
though they don’s have any urgent program to enter the Armenian market.

Recently, the heads of the Greek OTE have been stating for many times that
they have the intention to sell 90% of the share of ArmenTel’s stocks.