VivaCell-MTS has secured the necessary radio spectrum frequencies needed to begin the construction of a Long Term Evolution (LTE) network in Yerevan and Armenia’s regions. The decision to grant VivaCell-MTS a license for LTE network services was passed during the November 10 meeting of the Public Services Regulatory Commission of Armenia. The LTE license stipulates that VivaCell-MTS would have to launch commercial operations by March 1, 2011. The license will be valid until November 4, 2019 and will cost AMD990 million. For the first time in CIS, LTE network was put into operation in Tashkent in the end of July 2010. A test launch of LTE mobile network technology in Armenia was scheduled for December 1, 2010.

I could have made money this way, and perhaps amused myself writing code. But I knew that at the end of my career, I would look back on years of building walls to divide people, and feel I had spent my life making the world a worse place. Richard Stallman.

Communication sector proceeds grossed 124.9bln in January–September 2010 in Armenia, exceeding last year’s index by 2.2 %. According to the National Statistical Service of Armenia, proceeds from fixed telephony, mobile communication and Internet services totaled AMD 23.5mln, 77.3mln and 17.9mln respectively.

Over 160 thousand broadband internet users were reported as of October 1 against 125 thousand in January 1. Twofold decrease of dial-up internet users was observed over the first half-year of 2010, their current number comprising 21 thousand. In January-September 2010, 7833 Mbps bandwidth was reported in Armenia providing twofold traffic increase.

Armenian Ministry of Education and Science signed a memorandum of understanding with Word ORT non-governmental education and training organization. The memorandum stipulates for cooperation in implementation of high technologies into education sector, development of information technologies, use of Interned in education process, creation of programs promoting development of hi-tech centers in Armenian universities.

Stepanakert hosted ICT leaders’ conference on development of technologic enterprises in Armenia and Artsakh and implementation of electronic management systems. Over 30 ICT companies, 80 representatives of international organizations and business sector were invited to participate.

ArmenTel JCSC has announced 5-fold price reduction for symmetric internet access within the framework of Corporate Internet service. Monthly fee for 1 Mbps unlimited tariff plan was cut to AMD 144000; monthly fee for 2, 3 and 4 Mbps unlimited tariff plans reduced to AMD 246000, 366000 and 480000 respectively. A possibility to increase connection speed by 1 Mbps per AMD 120000 is provided, as well as that of 80% bandwidth increase. The price of AMD158000, 271000, 402000 and 528000 was set for 1, 2, 3 and 4 Mbps increased bandwidth tariff plans. AMD 132000 price is established per additional 1Mbps. 8 free IP addresses are provided in case of joining one of the tariff plans above.

Internet World Stats usage and population statistics has published the results of Armenia-based survey as of June 2010. 1,396,550 Internet users (47.1% of the population) were reported in Armenia according to the Public Services Regulatory Committee.

Electronic resources protection was in the limelight of heads of libraries, museums, archives and media during the past week.The issue was discussed at a round table in Yerevan, with electronic material copyright protection, information maintenance, creation of library and museum database as the main topics.

Head of High and Information Technology Department at the Armenian Ministry of Economy Vache Kirakosyan said that an educational multimedia laboratory will open in Gyumri in 2011. Besides, certain educational programs will be developed in this field for school students, he said during MARANI business forum on animation and information technologies. “The government will launch an e-education program,” he said. Kirakosyan also said that the Armenian government will increase financing of the IT field in 2011.The drop in funds for IT development in 2010 - from AMD 200mln to AMD 80mln - was reasoned by general reductions in the budget with respect to the global economic crisis, Kirakosyan told a PanARMENIAN.Net reporter.