Armenian government to announce tender for creation of high speed broadband internet network

YEREVAN, October 22, /ARKA/. Armenian economy minister Nerses Yeritsian said today the government will announce a tender for creation of a high speed broadband Internet network in the first quarter of 2010.

Speaking at parliament hearings, convened to discuss the process of digitization of Armenian TV and radio broadcasting, the minister said the government with the assistance of the World Bank is drafting a cooperation package between public and private sectors, which, he said, will be presented as a tender to private investors.

According to him, attraction of private investors will be instrumental for introduction of a modern network and formation of the appropriate infrastructure.

He said the government plans to spend $30 million on Internet development, of which $24 million will come from a World Bank loan and the rest from the government. The project with a 100 Mbit/sec connectivity is to be started in 2010. -0-