Armenian EyeCare Project (AECP) and Ucom announced today the launch of free ophthalmologic services program in Armenia's regions. Nune Yeghiazaryan, the Head of AECP, told a news conference on March 24, residents of Ararat, Vayots Dzor, Syunik and Armavir marzes will benefit from free ophthalmologic services this year. The company noticed that Ucom continues the cooperation with AECP within Bringing Sight to Armenian Eyes project, which Orange Foundation started in 2011.
"Mobile ophthalmologic hospital will offer free comprehensive exanimation of eyes. Surgery will be available free of charge for the vulnerable sectors of the population," she said. At the moment, local ophthalmologists in Ararat marz are conducting eye check-ups. Mobile ophthalmologic hospital will begin its journey in Masis, Ararat this year, where it will stay on April 4-16; it will later be in Artashat on April 18-30, and in Ararat on May 2-14. The next stop is Vayots Dzor marz.
It is anticipated that in 2016, under the project, 13,000 children and adults will undergo examinations. 1,800 people will undergo comprehensive examination at mobile hospital, and 770 people will undergo surgery and laser treatment. A total of 630 glasses will be provided. Yeghiazaryan said that children from the regions involved in the project can participate in eye care lectures. The "Bringing Sight to Armenian Eyes 2016" project costs about 50 million drams. "Part of the amount will be provided by Ucom, the other part - by benefactors," she said.
Ucom LLC was founded in 2007. It is one of the rapidly developing companies in Armenia. Ucom has built the biggest new generation fiber-optic network in Armenia, which gives an opportunity to provide at least three services: Internet, television and fixed- line telephony. As of June 2015, the company has more than 100,000 subscribers. On August 20 2015, by the decision of the Public Services Regulatory Committee of Armenia approved the sale of 100% of Orange Armenia's stake to Ucom Company. The decision on the sale of stake is determined not by financial reasons, but intention to provide strong convergent services, including a range of fixed and TV services. At the same time Orange Armenia will remain as a mobile operator, will keep its licensees and infrastructures and will continue to provide services to its customers.
To note, UCom Company will launch 4G/LTE network on the basis of Ericsson equipment on the whole territory of Armenia. UCom Telecommunication Company and Ericsson (NASDAQ: ERIC) signed a contract on development of 4G/LTE network throughout the territory of Armenia. Under the contract Ericsson will supply state of the art equipment of Ericsson Radio System, which works in different frequency ranges, AIR integrated antenna systems and Ericsson Expert Analytics system, a software suite, which enables operators to predict customer satisfaction and automatically take closed-loop actions to improve it. Armenia is undergoing digital transformation, innovative telecommunication services and solutions are available in the country, and there is also high demand on smart devices. Only networks ensuring the highest level of capacity can satisfy the growing demand. A network will be developed on the basis of LTE technology and Ericsson analytical system, which will allow UCom providing the services of the highest level to its customers, Head of Ericsson Customer Unit in Ukraine and Eurasia Wojciech Bajda said.