| Telecommunications Republic of Armenia |
|
|---|---|
 |
|
 |
|
 Landlines (2006): |
603,900[1] |
 Mobile lines (2006): |
1.2 million[1] |
| ccTLD: | .am |
| Calling code: | +374 |
This article is about telecommunications systems in Armenia.
Contents |
Telephone
There are two telephone companies in Armenia: Beeline, which holds all fixed-line and 30% of cellular networks, and VivaCell-MTS, which holds 70% of cellular networks. Beeline has around 550,000 mobile subscribers, and VivaCell-MTS has around 1,750,000.
In Armenia, telecommunications investments have made major inroads in modernizing and upgrading the outdated telecommunications network inherited from the Soviet era. Currently, the system is 100% privately owned and undergoing modernization and expansion. Additionally, the mobile-cellular services monopoly terminated in late 2004 and a second provider began operations in mid-2005.
Domestic System
As of 2008, approximately 80% of all main lines are digitized and provide quality services for the region. The remaining 20% is in modernization process. Telephone network is also in technological convergence process, which Beeline is going to complete in 2009. Cellular networks also provide high-quality services, including GPRS, EDGE.
3G service was announced by Beeline in the summer of 2008. VivaCell-MTS was going to announce this service at the end of 2008.
International System
Yerevan is connected to the Trans-Asia-Europe fiber-optic cable via Georgia. There is general plan to make better connection via Turkey, after opening Turkey-Armenian borders. 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.[1] Main backbones of Armenian networks are made by E3 or STM-1 lines via Microwave units across whole country with a lots-of passive retranslatations.
Radio
As of 2008, Armenia has 9 AM stations, 17 FM stations, and one shortwave station. Additionally, there are approximately 850,000 radios in existence.[1] Primary network provider is TRBNA
Television
Armenia has 48 private television stations alongside 2 public networks with major Russian channels widely available throughout the country. [1] In year 2008 TRBNA upgraded main circuit to digital distribution system based on DVB-IP and MPEG2 standards.
Internet
There are approximately 175,000 Internet users and approximately 26,000 Internet hosts in Armenia.[1] The country code (Top level domain) for Armenia is .am, which has been used for AM radio stations and for domain hacks.[2]
Armentel's(the national communications company's) only fiber optic connection to the Internet enters Armenia through Georgia (via Marneuli)[3] and then connects to the rest of the Internet via an undersea fiber-optic cable in the Black Sea.[4] Armenia is connected to the Trans-Asia-Europe fiber-optic cable system via Georgia, which runs along the railroad from Poti to Tbilisi to the Armenian border near Marneuli.[5] At Poti, the TAE cable connects to the undersea Georgia-Russia system KAFOS which then connects to the Black Sea Fiber Optic Cable System.[6] The BSFOCS is co-owned by Armentel.[7] (A map of the system can be found at the BSFOCS site here.)
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
DSL connectivity is offered by Beeline, Cornet, Arminco, and others.
WiMAX
- Cornet launched a nationwide network in Yerevan and 18 biggest cities of Armenia. It uses 802.16e protocol in the 3.6-3.8 GHz frequency diapason. It provides 27 Mbit/sec speed.[8]
- Armenian ISP Icon Communications has selected Alcatel-Lucent to design, deploy and maintain a commercial WiMAX 802.16e-2005 (Rev-e) network in Armenia.[9]
References
- ^ a b c d e f CIA World Factbook, 2009: Armenia
- ^ Country_code_top-level_domain#Commercial_and_vanity_use
- ^ Fiber Optic Cable Damage in Georgia, Arminco, June 5, 2008.
- ^ ARMENIA SUFFERS WIDESPREAD INTERNET OUTAGE, EurasiaNet, August 7, 2006.
- ^ GEORGIA’S FUNCTION AS A TRANSIT COUNTRY AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT, Georgian Foundation for Strategic and International Studies.
- ^ Black Sea Fiber Optic Cable System: Connectivity, Black Sea Fiber Optic Cable System.
- ^ BSFOCS: Owners, Black Sea Fiber Optic Cable System.
- ^ "Comstar Launches National Wimax Network In Armenia". http://www.comstar.ru/en/news_center/news/index.php?id4=663.
- ^ "Armenia's Icon to deploy WiMAX network with Alcatel-Lucent". http://www.telecompaper.com/news/article.aspx?cid=641510.
This article incorporates public domain material from the CIA World Factbook document "2009 edition".
See also
- Armenia
- Arminco - Armenian internet service provider
- ru:Список интернет-провайдеров Армении List of Internet providers in Armenia, russian
External links
- CityWiMax.Net Commercial internet service provider (former ineti.net) (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.
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