ArmemTel and FiberNet Comm recognized with dominant position

ArmemTel and FiberNet Communications recognized as companies with
dominant position in Armenian market of international data transmission
services

YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 25, NOYAN TAPAN. At the September 24 siiting, the RA
State Commission for the Protection of Economic Competition recognized
ArmenTel (Beeline brand) and FiberNet Communications companies as those
with a dominant position in the Armenian market of international data
transmission services (Internet access). Studies conducted by the
Commission show that ArmenTel’s share of the market amounts to 53.9%,
that of FiberNet Communications to 46.1%.

Legal Director of ArmenTel CJSC David Sandukhchian told reporters that
the two independent state bodies – the State Commission for the
Protection of Economic Competition and the RA Public Services
Regulatory Commission make decisions about the same entity, being
guided by different criteria, which results in adoption of two
different decisions. "We do not know whether we have a dominant
posistion in terms of imports or sales. It is desirable that there will
be one decision, which will say whether we have a dominant position or
not. Two different decisions establishing not the same criteria create
uncertainty and hinder our business and the attraction of investments,"
he said.

In the words of the Commission Chairman Ashot Shahnazarian, the studies
of Internet market were conducted following the applications filed by
local Internet providers who complained of ArmenTels’ price policy that
impedes the competition. "The providers believe that under conditions
of ArmenTel’s price policy, the development of IT sector is in danger
and it is impossible to offer competitive products," A. Shahnazarian
noted.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Emil Lazarian

“I should like to see any power of the world destroy this race, this small tribe of unimportant people, whose wars have all been fought and lost, whose structures have crumbled, literature is unread, music is unheard, and prayers are no more answered. Go ahead, destroy Armenia . See if you can do it. Send them into the desert without bread or water. Burn their homes and churches. Then see if they will not laugh, sing and pray again. For when two of them meet anywhere in the world, see if they will not create a New Armenia.” - WS