ARMENTEL NOT CONCERNED ABOUT COMING OF THIRD MOBILE OPERATOR TO ARMENIAN MARKET

ARKA
Oct 13, 2008

YEREVAN, October 13. /ARKA/. ArmenTel telecommunication company is
not concerned about the coming of the third mobile operator to the
Armenian market, General Director of ArmenTel (Beeline brand) Neycho
Velichkov told journalists.

On October 7 Armenia’s Tender Commission announced Orange company
(main brand of France Telecom operator) winner in the tender on
the third mobile operator in the country. Orange had submitted the
highest bid for a GSM license for a total of 51.5mln euros. As per
the existing procedure, the company is to receive the final license
by December 15 this year.

Velichkov gave a positive opinion about the results of the tender in
terms of the price paid by France Telecom for the license and stressed
the importance of such serious player’s coming to the Armenian market.

ArmenTel will make every effort to implement its plans and ensure
high results next year, Velichkov said.

"Much will depend on aggressiveness of France Telecom’s coming to the
Armenian market, but we plan to maintain the pace we are developing
at now and next year to be if not the main, then a leader for our
subscribers and provide them with the entire range of services,"
Velichkov said. He said that the company does not fear the competitions
and has always been following the fair market rules.

Velich kov said it is difficult to say now how clients will be
distributed between three operators next year.

Currently two companies operate on Armenian mobile communications
market – ArmenTel fully owned by VimpleCom Russian company and
Vivcacell with its control stock belonging to Russian MTS. -0–