FULFILMEMT TERMS OF SOME ARMENTEL OBLIGATIONS EXTENDED
Noyan Tapan
Apr 18 2007
YEREVAN, APRIL 18, NOYAN TAPAN. At the April 18 sitting, the RA Public
Services Regulatory Commision made a decision to extend the terms of
fulfilment of ArmenTel company’s some obligations envisaged by its
license 60.
Particularly, the term of digitalizing the phone communication of
800 villages by late 2006 has been extended until June 30, 2007,
while the term of updating 70 thousand analog phone lines in marzes
has been extended until December 31, 2007.
The updating of these analog phone lines will ensure the opportunity
of automated inter-city and international access.
In the words of ArmenTel’s Executive Director Oleg Bliznyuk, the
company’s filfilment of its obligations in accordance with the dates
envisaged by the license was mainly hindered by unfavorable weather,
as well as by temporary suspension of implementation of the major
projects in connection with the company’s sale.
The speaker noted that during the indicated period – until December 31,
2006, all Armenian villages were provided with phone communication
(except for 3-4 villages where the work was completed in March
2007). In late December 2006, the CDMA system, which was envisaged by
the program on digitalization of phone communication in 800 villages,
was put into operation: thanks to this system, coverage of over 400
villages has been seured now.
Reponding to questions of reporters, O. Bliznyuk noted that currently
85% of Yerevan phone network and about 40% of the country’s phone
network have been digitalized. He reasserted the company’s willingness
to renounce its monopoly by late 2007, including its monopoly in the
fixed-line phone sector. O.
Bliznyuk stated that prior to it, the company will fulfil all its
obligations envisaged by the license.
According to him, under the license, the 800 villages must have
at least 1-2 digitalized lines but in reality digitalized phone
communication will be assessible to all residents of these villages.
O. Bliznyuk said that this year the company plans to introduce the
billing system of payments. It was mentioned that by late 2008,
ArmenTel intends to provide automed international access for all
subscribers.