Monday, September 22 2014

 Rostelecom OJSC's investments in Armenia within the five years since it entered the market in 2012 will total nearly $30 million. The statement came from Executive Vice President of Rostelecom OJSC Alexander Rogovoy during a press-tour for Armenian journalists to Moscow and the Company's Central Office on 18 September. 

He said total investments will reach $20 million till the end of the year. (In 2013, $15 million were invested). The main investments were made in establishment and expansion of the telecommunication network. 

The company has already carried out big work. Rostelecom has entered the Armenian market via its subsidiary GNC-Alfa CJSC.

Starting December 2012, the Company has been successfully providing broadband Internet and telephony services. In September 2013, the company launched IP-television services.  "We see very serious perspectives for development of the telecommunication market in Armenia. All our services are very demanded and resonate with our subscribers in a wink. Therefore, we mull construction of a data center and look ahead with confidence in our future," Rogovoy said. As for the data center's opening date, Rogovoy said it is early to speak of it, as the Company is studying the center's economic components so far.

He added that the company that started its activity from the regions of Armenia seeks to more actively work in Yerevan in 2015 and increase its presence in the capital city. "It is very important for us to increase the level of our penetration in Yerevan and strengthen our positions in the regions," he said. According to the executive vice president, the company seeks to launch some new services, mainly in the B2C [B-to-C] format.  The company does not plan mobile communications service so far.

"At least, we do not plan to enter the mobile market in 2014. If we feel such need and economic viability, we will study that issue," he said.

The executive vice president of Rostelecom said that in 2015 the Company plans to increase the number of its customers in Yerevan. The Company's customer base is not big - some 21,000 subscribers - but the Company entered the local retail market not so long ago and has rather high growth rates of the customer base, Rogovoy said welcoming the activity of the Armenian subsidiary. 

"The growth rates show that subscribers are satisfied with the quality of our services, this is what makes us strong," he said, adding the package offers enjoy the biggest popularity in the country.  The Company's top manager believes that the competition in the Armenian market is very stiff, which is a positive fact and stimulates a better work and development of new products and services.   

Rostelecom started up in Armenia in late 2012 through its subsidiary, GNC-ALFA. The company provides Internet, fixed telephony and IP television services. Its fiber network covers almost 80% of Armenia's territory and is connected with Iran and Georgia.