EMERGENCE OF THIRD TELECOMMUNICATIONS OPERATOR TO SLASH INTERNET PRICES
YEREVAN, October 14, /ARKA/. The emergence of a new telecommunications operator in Armenia’s wholesale Internet market will result in slashed prices, says a press release by GNC-Alfa company, the third Armenian wholesale Internet provider.
GNC-Alfa will begin the commercial use of its Fiber-Optic Cable infrastructure from October 15 and plans to launch the northern segment of its network between Yerevan and Georgian border in Q1 of 2010, the press release said.
GNC-Alfa said it attaches great importance to gradual lowering of Internet prices, which is one of the major obstacles for raising Internet penetration rates and quality.
“We are sure that the emergence of a new wholesale telecommunications operator in the market will have a positive impact in terms of prices. Our starting prices are already lower than the current market prices,’ the press release said.
On September 17, 2009 the Government of Armenia allowed GNC-Alfa to lay a fiber-optic cable along certain national highways for the construction of the Northern Segment of GNC-Alfa network between Yerevan and Armenia-Georgia border.
The new cable will secure alternative access to Internet, which is supposed to raise Internet access quality. The company has committed to complete the work in 18 months.
The GNC-ALFa was established in 2007. It deals with construction and operation of main telecommunications networks and offers also transport services. Armenia’s Public Services Regulatory Commission (PSRC) granted the company on December 10, 2008 a license for running a public electronic communications network for 10 years.
The company said IP Internet access prices are the following. The total monthly connectivity costs for 30 Mbps will be 318,000 Drams (VAT included), the monthly connectivity price for 30-99 Mbps will be 306,000 Drams, the monthly connectivity cost for 100-150 Mbps will be 295,000 Drams.
The total three month connectivity price for 30, 30-99 and 100-150 Mbps will be 306,000, 295,000 and 282,000 Drams respectively. The total six-month connectivity price for 30, 30-99 and 100-150 Mbps will be 300,000, 282,000 and 264,000 Drams respectively.
The total 12-month connectivity price for 30, 30-99 and 100-150 Mbps will be 282,000, 264,000 and 245,000 Drams respectively.
Armenia has currently two wholesale Internet providers-ArmenTel (Beeline trademark) and FiberNet Communications. ($1 – 385.61 Drams). -0-