NIKITA MOBILE LICENSED TO BRING MOBILE INTERNET TO ARMENIA
by Michael Lacquiere

Global Insight
Jan 21 2008

Russian game company Nikita Mobile has been awarded a licence by
Armenia’s Public Services Regulatory Commission (PSRC) to provide
data transmission and internet access in the capital city of Yerevan,
reports ARKA. Nikita’s partners in Armenia include the country’s two
mobile operators, VivaCell and Armentel, as well as internet service
provider Cornet-AM.

Significance:Late last year, both VivaCell and Armentel were awarded 3G
licences, thus paving the way for the provision of value-added services
(seeArmenia: 9 October 2007:and10 October 2007:). The gaming market
would increase the operators’ appeal, especially among the younger
demographic, while also contributing towards ARPU and revenues. ARPU
levels in Armenia were high at the end of the third quarter of 2007,
with VimpelCom reporting that Armentel’s was $17US.6, while Mobile
TeleSystems reported that VivaCell’s was $15US.7.