A1+
`ARMENTEL’ DEPRIVED OF MONOPOLY
[06:32 pm] 28 September, 2007
The August 24 decision of the Commission for Regulating Public
Services (CRPS) annulling ArmenTel’s exclusive rights to monopoly goes
into effect on October 1.
According to CRPS member Samvel Arabajyan, ArmenTel has been
cooperating with the commission throughout the whole procedure and
they have managed to overcome the main discords.
We are confident that new telephone companies providing additional
services will soon emerge at markets, Samvel Arabajyan told A1+. This
refers to companies offering audio services.
It is due to mention that the order of licence granting has been
simplified. It implies that companies are automatically granted
licences within 3-5 days after submitting applications.
ArmenTel took the CRPS decision quite calmly. According to ArmenTel’s
press secretary Hasmik Chutilyan ArmenTel had formerly come up with
the proposal. `WE are ready to competition,’ she said.
To A1+’s question whether they see strong rivals at the market, Hasmik
Chutilyan said, `ArmenTel has enjoyed monopoly for a long time. Is
there any company having such a great network?’
According to Hasmik Chutilyan ArmenTel will not be subjected to
financial and military changes. While Samvel Arabajyan states that
great changes are foreseen in the local and international
communication which will provide fair and healthy competition.