VivaCell-MTS provided AMD 60.6 million to the American University of
Armenia for the video conferencing room

2009-03-12 10:48:00

ArmInfo. Today the official opening of the videoconferencing hall of
the American University of Armenia was held. The videoconferencing hall
was sponsored by VivaCell-MTS, a subsidiary of Mobile TeleSystems OJSC
(NYSE: MBT). VivaCell-MTS has provided AMD 60.6 mln of support for the
videoconferencing facility, which will be named for VivaCell-MTS.

The videoconferencing room comprises a set of interactive
telecommunication technologies which allow students and professors in
different locations to interact via two- way video and audio
transmissions simultaneously. Thanks to this innovative technology,
students and faculty of AUA can benefit from guest lecturers ‘brought’
into a class from another university though videoconference.

The official launch of the room was marked by the first
videoconferencing lecture in the new Paramaz Avedisian Building by Dr.
Michael Thompson from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte,
for students of the College of Health Sciences. Through
videoconferencing students can visit another part of the world to speak
with others which brings opportunities to students and faculty from
diverse communities and backgrounds to come together. Scientists can
collaborate with colleagues at other universities on a regular basis
without loss of time due to travel.

"Bringing Armenia to the world and the world to Armenia is our aim. We
are responsible for developing highly skilled and flexible human
capital in Armenia. Application of up-to- date technologies in
education today is necessary if we want to compete effectively in
global markets. Nowadays we should be able to think globally. And
videoconferencing allows students from Armenia and their peers in other
countries to explore, communicate, analyze and share information and
ideas with one another", – VivaCell-MTS General Manager Ralph Yirikian
mentioned during the official opening.

"The support of VivaCell-MTS for the videoconferencing hall in the
University’s brand new state of the art campus building is appreciated
by the whole University community. The VivaCell-MTS commitment to
education in Armenia is exemplary and demonstrates its direct continued
support of the community," said AUA President Haroutune Armenian.
Support for the videoconferencing equipment was provided by USAID in an
earlier grant to the University.

VivaCell-MTS (K-Telecom CJSC) is the leading Armenian mobile operator,
providing a wide range of Voice and Data services. Since its launch on
1st July 2005, in a short period of time VivaCell-MTS
has managed to build a nationwide network and a considerable customer
base. VivaCell-MTS drives the development and offering of innovative
mobile communications products, services and features in the Armenian
mobile communications market.

Mobile TeleSystems OJSC ("MTS") is the largest mobile phone operator in
Russia and the CIS. Together with its subsidiaries, the Company
services over 91.4 million subscribers. The regions of Russia, as well
as Armenia, Belarus, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, and Uzbekistan, in which
MTS and its associates and subsidiaries are licensed to provide GSM
services, have a total population of more than 230 million. Since June
2000, MTS’ Level 3 ADRs have been listed on the New York Stock Exchange
(ticker symbol MBT).