Orange Armenia subscribes 200,000-th client

YEREVAN, February 3, /ARKA/. Armenia’s third mobile phone operator Orange Armenia, a subsidiary of France Telecom’s Orange, has subscribed its 200,000-th client since the launch of commercial operations in 2009 November.

It was a Yerevan resident Lusine Harutyunian, a second-year student of Yerevan Medical University. She bought a SIM-card at a company’s sale and service office in Yerevan.

Orange Armenia CEO Bruno Duthoit, presented her with a notebook and a 3G modem to connect to Internet.

Speaking at a ceremony Bruno Duthoit said subscribing the 200,000 client was a symbolic event, especially after subscribing the 100,000 client just a month ago. In his words, this rate is evidence that Orange Armenia has become a real alternative in the local market of mobile phone services.

Orange won in 2008 October an international tender for the right to launch and operate the third Armenian wireless network. It paid 50 million euros ($72 million) for the 15 year license, outbidding two other European telecom firms short-listed in the government-administered contest. It launched commercial operations in 2009 November ensuring an 83 percent coverage of the country with access to mobile phone and Internet in 500 communities. It offers now 2.5G and 3G-based services as well as access to 3G+ network and roaming in 130 countries. So far it has invested 140 million Euros in Armenia. -0-