Rostelecom to invest about $6.6 mln in network development in Armenia in 2015
YEREVAN. Dec 23 (Interfax) - OJSC Rostelecom will invest about 3 billion dram ($6.576 million at the current exchange rate) in the development of the communication network in Armenia in 2015, the CEO of CJSC GNC-ALFA (a Rostelecom subsidiary), Hayk Faramazyan, said at a press conference on Tuesday.
He said that in 2014 investments also amounted to about 3 billion dram and in 2013 - 5.5 billion dram.
Faramazyan said that in 2015, projects aimed at raising the quality of communications and offering technologically new services will be implemented, an emphasis will be made on the improvement and expansion of the payment system. In addition, the company is planning to launch a new portal, which will allow users to sign up for services online.
"High competition is forcing the company to raise the quality of services," the CEO said.
He added that in 2015, it is also planned to expand the geography of offered services.
He said that the network's coverage in Yerevan is about 80% and in the country as a whole exceeds 50%.
Faramazyan said that the number of subscribers by the end of 2014 exceeded 26,000, which is 150% more than the number at the beginning of the year. Also, GPON technology has been introduced in 15 Armenian cities, and 26 centers for sales and technical servicing have been opened.
Rostelecom operates the only fiber-optic network in Armenia, which is connected with the main networks of the region and large traffic exchange nodes, as well as international gateway interfaces with Iran and Georgia.
Through its subsidiary in Armenia CJSC GNC-ALFA, Rostelecom launched the promotion and retail sales of its telecom services in Armenia at the end of 2012.
The official exchange rate on December 23 was 456.17 dram/$1.
