State Commission for Protection of Economic Competition: Roaming tariffs on calls to Armenia from EEU countries will be reduced to 250 drams/1min

ArmInfo. Tariffs on calls from the member countries of the Eurasian Economic Union to Armenia will be sharply reduced and will total 250 drams for 1 minute in average, while one SMS-message will cost 65 drams instead of current 124.

The press-service of the State Commission for Protection of Economic Competition has told ArmInfo that the tariffs on roaming service provided by Armentel, VivaCell-MTS and Ucom mobile operators will reduce 3-fold, 2-fold and 8.6-fold: from current 541 drams/min, 780 drams/min and 2150 drams/min respectively. The reform is the result of the survey conducted by the Commission in the field and months- long discussions with the abovementioned operators about the necessity to significantly reduce roaming tariffs. The survey particularly revealed that roaming services are 50-fold more expensive than local calls- 1200 drams/min versus 25 drams/min.

According to the source the Commission intends to continue with work on reducing tariffs on calls when in roaming in not only EEU countries but also EU countries, the USA, etc.

To note, ArmenTel CJSC (Beeline brand) is a member of VimpelCom Group.  VimpelCom is one of the world's largest integrated telecommunications services operators providing voice and data services through a range of traditional and broadband mobile and fixed technologies in Russia, Italy, Ukraine, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Armenia, Georgia, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Algeria, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Burundi, Zimbabwe, Central African Republic and Canada.  VimpelCom provides services under the "Beeline", "Kyivstar", "Wind", "Infostrada" "Mobilink", "Leo", "Banglalink", "Telecel", and "Djezzy" brands.

VivaCell-MTS (K-Telecom CJSC) is Armenia's leading telecommunications operator, having the widest 2G/3.75G/4G network reach and spreading a wide range of Voice and Data services all across Armenia. Having the best of the Armenian people interest at heart since its launch on 1st July 2005 and in a short period of time VivaCell-MTS has managed to build a nationwide network and a considerable customer base.

To note, 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.