Increased number of Internet subscribers registered in Armenia; providers diversify connection channels

PanARMENIAN.Net - In 2009, the number of subscribers to wideband internet services provided by ArmenTel rose by 184,8 %, compared to last year’s results, to comprise 26,2 thousand. According to “Internet in Armenia” report, ArmenTel (Beeline trademark) is the leading provider of retail internet services in Armenia.

Top 10 providers were determined based on visits registered in Circle.am Armenian internet rating system through IP addresses of Armenian providers and other companies connected to AM Net. As the research says, ArmenTel subscribers’ share among visitors comprises 38.48%.

The figure is due to provision of fixed internet connection (Dial-up and ADSL), experts believe. Meanwhile, mobile internet users prefer services of three competing mobile operators ArmenTel, VivaCell-MTS and Orange Armenia (11-12%). Within 3 months of launch Orange Armenia (France Telecom) reached the second place in rankings, with 12.27% mobile internet users. Drastic growth of demand for mobile internet in Armenia is explained by the appearance of Orange Armenia in the market of Armenia. VivaCell-MTS with 11.69% users is in the bottom of leaders list.

On the whole, 62.44% users prefer 3 leading operators’ services, with mobile internet users share comprising 33-35%. 3 leaders are followed by ADC (7.76%), Arminco (6.83%), Cornet (4.99%), iCON (4.29%), Ucom (2.38%), Web (1.57%) and Bionet (1.36%). Thus 91.62% of retail internet services are provided by the companies indicated.

Providers of wholesale Internet continue working towards diversification of communication channels. Third operator of the wholesale Internet in Armenia GNC Alfa Company completed construction works and commenced operation of the northern segment of its national fiber-optic network. Northern Network segment is laid between Yerevan and the Armenian-Georgian border, and crosses it at two locations: near the village Bagratashen and the city of Tashir. Southern segment of the network between Yerevan and the Armenian-Iranian border has been operating since September 2009. The network is connected to the fiber-optic line in Iran, providing access to global telecommunications network.

ArmenTel joined the European backbone Internet network through the cable system “Caucasus Cable System”. This fourth independent communication channel, owned by the company, goes under the Black Sea and joins the European Internet backbone network in the territory of Bulgaria.

Orange Armenia in the near future does not plan to increase the minimum speed of the mobile Internet, company CEO Bruno Dutoit said, answering the questions of his blog visitors. "128 kB/sec is the speed, which currently enables us to provide simultaneously unrestricted access to the Internet and ensure a high quality," Bruno Dutoit wrote. The tariffs for Internet and other telecommunications services are subject to change, he said.

Asked about the prospects of cellular 4-generation (4G) communication, Bruno Dutoit said Orange has introduced 3G + (3.5G) technologies in Armenia, which are latest widely used technologies. "At this stage we do not intend to change our plans," Orange Armenia Director General said.

VivaCell-MTS has announced late last year, that the company intends to launch a network of the fourth generation (4G) in 2010. Armenia plans to collaborate with Intel in IT research, and in the field of Internet penetration. Prospects of cooperation with the corporation were discussed during the visit of Intel Director of Educational Programs Robert Fogel in Yerevan this week. He presented the integrated program of Intel ‘World Ahead’, which is introduced in many countries. The main objectives of World Ahead for the next five years: to provide wireless broadband Internet access to a billion users and to train 10 million teachers to use modern technology, to provide one billion students with access to technology.