Armenia Calls For 3rd Mobile Operator

ARMENIA CALLS FOR 3RD MOBILE OPERATOR

Wireless Week
July 17 2008

The Armenian government is taking bids from prospective buyers to
become the third mobile operator in the country.

According to government representatives, prospective wireless operators
will have to come up with at least $16 million for the license and
invest at least $316.9 million in their network.

There are currently roughly 2 million wireless subscribers in
Armenia. More than 60% of them subscribe to VivaCell, which is owned by
Russia’s largest mobile operator, MTS. The other operator is ArmenTel,
which is owned by Russia’s Vimpelcom.

The Public Services Regulatory Commission (PSRC) anticipates that
the bidding process will take at least four months.