Communications in Armenia

This article is about communications systems in Armenia.

Telephone

There are only two telephone companies in Armenia: [http://www.beeline.am Beeline] , which holds all main line and 30% of cellular networks, and [http://www.vivacell.am VivaCell] , which holds 70% of cellular networks.

Main line telephones in use: 900,000 (2008) Cellular telephones in use: 2,000,000 (2008) Mobile networks: Beeline has around 650,000 subscribers, VivaCell around 1,350,000. Telephone system: All of system is privatised. Undergoing modernization and expansion. "Domestic": 80% of all main lines are digitized and provide quality services for the region. Remaining 20% is in modernization process. Cellular networks also provide high-quality services, GPRS services are also available for cellular subscribers. Some parts of capital city has UMTS/3G coverage, however these services are in testing (May 2008) and not available for ordinary use. "International": Yerevan is connected to the Trans-Asia-Europe fiber-optic cable via Iran. Additional international service is available by microwave radio relay and landline connections to other countries of the Commonwealth of Independent States, the Moscow international switch and by satellite. Satellite Earth stations - 1 Intelsat.

Radio

Radio Broadcast Stations: AM 9, FM 17, shortwave 1 (2008) Radios: 850,000 (1997)

Television

Television Broadcast Stations: 23 (2008) Televisions: 825,000 (1997)

Internet

Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 40 (2007) Internet users: 0.15 million (2007)
Country code: AM

Dial-up

Major way to connecting to internet is dial-up. This caused by very high prices of internet access, and only very few people can use other types of connections. Average price for an hour dial-up internet access is about 48 cents, plus 20 cents for using phone line (summary 68 cents per hour). ADSL is also available.

ADSL

Because of only Beeline provides main fixed-line telephone newtork, it has, in fact, monopoly on ADSL service. So, this type of internet access is very problematic in country. It is provided by extremely high prices and very low speeds.

Unlimited ADSL appeared in country in May, 2008, provided by Beeline.There are now two types of this service: 256/32 for $40 and 1024/128 for $98.

References

*factbook

ee also

* Armenia
* Arminco - Armenian internet service provider

External links

* [http://www.ineti.net iNeti.net] Commercial internet service provider (ISP) in Armenia established in 2007. Provides a wide range of internet services including 1.2 Megabit connectivity, web design, domain registration, web hosting, DSL, and Wi-Fi throughout Yerevan.