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