“VimpelCom” presented claims to MTS because of information on 3G network launch in Armenia

Yerevan /Mediamax/.  “VimpelCom” (Beeline trademark) described today as “not corresponding to the facts” the information, according to which MTS was the first in Armenia to launch a third generation (3G) network basing on UMTS/HSPA technology.

Mediamax reports that the statement of the press service of “VimpelCom” OJSC reads:

“On Friday, April 17, 2009, MTS OJSC published a press release at the official website of the company (www.mts.ru) on the launch of 3G network into revenue service in Armenia. According to the information, presented in the press release, MTS Company was the first in Armenia to launch third generation network basing on UMTS/HSPA technology (3G).

As regard to this, the press service of “VimpelCom” OJSC officially states that the given information does not correspond to the real facts and misleads the subscribers of the company and the market.

On June 19, 2008, “ArmenTel” CJSC (Beeline brand in the territory of Armenia) announced the launch of test-revenue service of 3G network in Yerevan. On September 26, 2008, 3G network launch into revenue service was announced in Armenia. Thus, “ArmenTel” CJSC (Beeline) launched the first network of third generation (3G) basing on UMTS/HSPA technology in Armenia.

Making this statement, press service of “VimpelCom” OJSC hopes that the given refutation is absolutely exhaustive to prevent further spreading of the above-mentioned unverified information, which does not correspond to the reality, in media”.