ARMENIAN COMPANIES RENDERING IP AND TDM SERVICES REFUSE TO STICK TO
RULES OF ARMENTEL

Yerevan, January 22. ArmInfo. Today, a protest action against the
decision of the Armenian Regulatory Commission of Public Services
was held in Yerevan. According to the decision, the exclusive right
to render the voice data communication services under IP and TDM
technologies, is legally assigned to the "ArmenTel" CJSC.

In his conversation with an ArmInfo correspondent, Artsrun Burnazyan,
the head of the "SkyTel Corp" LLC, one of the protesting companies,
emphasized that the protest rally is aimed at liquidation of this
decision, as over 3 thsd people will be left without a job after the
decision comes into force.

The statement of Oleg Bliznyuk, the head of "ArmenTel", about a free
competition among the companies rendering IP and TDM services is a
real farce, as after the withdrawal of our licenses, from May till
November 2007 only "ArmenTel" will render voice services, until a
new licensing form is worked out. "As a result, our companies will
suffer losses", he noted.

A.Burnazyan considers O.Bliznyuk’s proposal to Armenian companies to
take up selling the "ArmenTel’s phone cards absurd. We have honestly
conducted our business for several years not to turn into unemployed
or ArmenTel’s dealers", he said.

At the same time, Chairman of the Commission Robert Nazaryan who
agreed to meet with the heads of the protesting companies, noted that
he is sorry for this situation, but he considers the settlement of
the problem by these methods inadmissible. He emphasized that the
members of the Commission are ready to start cooperation and an open
dialogue with Armenian companies. But if the companies consider that
the Commission hasn’t done its best to change the situation, they
have the right to demand compensation for moral and material damage
in the court, R.Nazaryan said. He also promised to take into account
the protestants’ proposal to reconsider the Commission’s decision.

To remind, Armentel’s monopoly in rendering IP and TDM services doesn’t
spread to voice messages sent from one’s PC situated on Armenia’s
territory and the messages used for personal use, but for transfer
to a third person for payment.