Anti-trust body warns telecom firms to abide by competition rulesMarch 14, 2014 - 17:29 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - A state anti-trust body has warned three leading telecom companies of Armenia to abide by fair competition rules in providing services in the internet market, Armenia Now reported. The State Commission for the Protection of Economic Competition (SCPEC) said on Friday, March 14 it had looked into complaints from numerous customers about internet services provided through USB modems. The probe, the body’s representative said, revealed a number of problems with the activities of K-Telecom, ArmenTel and Orange Armenia. SCPEC Legal Department officer Arsen Hovhannisyan, in particular, said that the contract terms stipulated by companies allowed them to charge subscribers for the period when no internet service was provided. The examination of citizens’ complaints also revealed certain difficulties in case subscribers apply for terminating the contract. The companies intentionally drag out the process, as a result getting revenues even when no service has been provided. SCPEC Chairman Artak Shaboyan stressed that subscribers should pay only for the actually provided services. By the Commission’s decision, K-Telecom, ArmenTel and Orange Armenia were strictly warned and instructed to eliminate the violation. Top stories Yerevan has dismissed Turkey’s demand to shut down the Armenian nuclear power plant as “inappropriate”. Armenia will loan 2.9 billion drams to Nagorno Karabakh (Artsakh), according to a draft government decision. The Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources of Azerbaijan has “strongly condemned” Armenia’s decision. Kerobyan has said that for the first time in the history of Armenia, the volume of foreign direct investments amounted to about $1 billion. Partner news | President stresses Armenia’s clear position to achieve peace On the eve of the International Francophonie Day, the Armenian President met with French intellectuals. Kazakh Foreign Minister arrives in Armenia Kazakh Foreign Minister Murat Nurtleu on Monday, March 18 arrived in Armenia for a two-day trip. Aliyev touts “good chances” for normalizing ties with Armenia Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev has declared that there are “good chances” for normalizing relations with Armenia. Putin secures fifth term as Russian president Russian President Vladimir Putin has secured a fifth term in office through a dubious national plebiscite. |