VIVACELL-MTS MOBILE OPERATOR BUILDS ITS OWN OPTIC-FIBER NETWORKING IN ARMENIA

ARKA
Jan 29, 2009

YEREVAN, January 29. /ARKA/. The Armenian VivaCell-MTS mobile operator
is building its own optic-fiber networking in Armenia, the company’s
General Director Ralph Yirikian told reporters on Thursday.

He said the company built 100km of its own optic-fiber network in
Yerevan in 2008.

"We intend to continue building the network for connecting all base
stations to implement programs on data transfer," said Yirikian.

According to him, connecting the base stations will enable the company
to create a network for fast data transfers and will technically
create its own system for the future, specifically, for providing
broadband Internet services.

"We plan to provide Internet services, but no sooner than in 2010"
said Yirikian, at the same tim excluding the possibility of entering
the market of fixed connection.

VivaCell-MTS (K-Telecom CJSC) is the leading Armenian mobile operator,
providing a wide range of Voice and Data services. Company operates
in all regions of Armenia and has a license of GSM 900/1800 standard
until 2019.

Mobile TeleSystems (MTS) OJSC, the leading mobile operator in Russia
and CIS, holds the 80% of VivaCell-MTS shares with the other 20%
of shares held by a Lebanon investing group Fattouch Group.

The number of customers of VivaCell-MTS in Armenia reached 2.02mln
in 2008.