  Vzglyad Newspaper: MGTS, Vympelcom and Rostelecom Claim to ArmenTelApril 5, 2006 - 14:45 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - "OTE Greek telecommunication group after the consultations with the Armenian government put for sale 95% of ArmenTel Company. HSBC acts as the consultant of the deal. Analysts assess the active within 100 million dollars. The Moscow City Telephone Network JSC (MGTS), Vympelcom and Rostelecom seem to be the principal purchasers," Vzglayd Russian newspaper writes. International giants will hardly show interest in ArmenTel, chief of the analytical department of Sovlink Investment Company Arif Zeynalov considers. "Armenia's market is rather local and will hardly allow to general financial flows sufficient for the companies of the kind. That is why the operators from neighbor states, first the Russian once will to all appearance buy ArmenTel," Zeynalov said. According to the newspaper the post probable purchaser are Vympelcom and the MGTS. "Both companies wish to expand activities throughout the CIS market," Arif Zeynalov said. Representatives of both companies do not deny the fact. Experts say the price for ArmenTel will not be high from the viewpoint of the scope of the telecommunication market. Within the local market framework ArmenTel shows a good outlook. OTE purchased 90% of ArmenTel stocks in late 1997 and obtained the monopoly for telecommunication services during 15 years. Thus, if the agreement remains valid with the new owner, it will maintain the monopoly during six more years. The price of the company may be determined by this monopoly right, Zebra Telecom Company director Sergey Kudrin said. "Thanks to this ArmenTel controls 80% of the local market. Besides, Armenian laws ban IP-telephony and due to this fact the huge traffic is concentrated within the company," Kudrin remarked. "To assess ArmenTel one should remember the Georgian Electric Communications that was put on sale with an initial price of $50 million. However expert supposed the price will rise to $100 million. The number of subscribers in Armenia and Georgia is nearly the same. Consequently the price of the actives will be approximately equal.   Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads.   Partner news |  Related sections Latest news Viva-MTS: Tech solutions to modernize infrastructure of border village  The border village has been the focus of Viva-MTS and the Foundation for the Preservation of Wildlife and Cultural Values since 2015.Ucom's fixed network launched in Artashat To mark this occasion, the company has introduced a special offer exclusively for Artashat residents.“By Your Side”: IDBank's new support program for displaced Artsakh citizens IDBank is launching a long-term social support program for forcibly displaced Artsakh residents.The Power of One Dram to benefit Road of Life charity The companies inform that the May beneficiary of The Power of One Dram is the “Road of Life” charitable organization. |
