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Armenia: ArmenTel loses monopoly Print E-mail
Monday, 01 October 2007
ArmenTel’s monopoly ended effective October 1, 2007. The end of the monopoly comes as a result of an August decision of the Commission for Regulating Public Services (CRPS). ArmenTel was initially granted a monopoly in 1997 which was to be effective until 2013. Sector liberalisation will apply to all types of services, including local service, domestic and international long distance, mobile, data and leased lines.

According to CRPS member Samvel Arabajyan, the CRPS is satisfied that new providers will soon enter the market. A new mobile operator will not be allowed to enter the market until January 1, 2009. In conjunction with liberalising the sector, the licensing process in Armenia has also been simplified. Companies are now to be granted licenses within five days of submitting applications.

ArmenTel representative Hasmik Chutilyan said that the company is prepared for competition. Armentel is owned by Russian operator Vimpelcom.

Source: A1plus.am - WDR/Intelecon Regulatory News.