ARMENTEL SEES FIBRE-OPTIC COVERAGE THROUGHOUT ARMENIA WITHIN 3-5 YEARS
by Michael Lacquiere

World Market Research Centre
Global Insight
September 2, 2008

Armenian fixed-line and mobile operator Armentel has indicated that
it plans to switch to fibre-optic communication throughout the
country within three to five years, reports ARKA, citing company
general director Neycho Velichkov. As such, the current 960-kilometre
fibre-optic network is likely to be doubled next year. The network
currently includes a 91-kilometre stretch in the capital, Yerevan,
as well as 40 kilometres in Giumry and Vanadzor. No financial details
of the expansion plans have been disclosed.

Significance:The move is aimed at expanding the current range
of value-added services across the entire population. These
services currently include multimedia offerings and video
communications. Fibre-based services also offer faster data and
internet transfer speeds than copper-based DSL services. In 2006,
Armentel’s investments in both the fixed and mobile sectors totalled
$60US million, a figure set to rise to $74US million in 2008.