Tariffs for internet services in Armenia reduced twofold as compared to 2008

Yerevan /Mediamax/. Tariffs for internet services in Armenia reduced twofold as compared to 2008.

Mediamax reports that Member of Public Service Regulatory Committee (PSRC) Samvel Arabajyan said this at a news conference in Yerevan today. According to him, in the nearest future, taking into account the constant increase in the number of users, reduction of tariffs for internet services is expected again.

Samvel Arabajyan stressed that in 2005, the transmission capacity of channels for internet access made 18Mb, while in late 2009, it already made 3670Mb. He expressed hope that, given the current steeps of development, the transmission capacity will make 6.5-7Gb following the results of 2010.

Arabajyan also brought data on internet services’ consumer base, noting that there are 70-75 thousand users of broadband internet at present, while in 2008 this index made only 10 thousands. At that, according to him, the number of dial-up connection users decreased – from 65 thousands in 2008 to 40-45 thousands in 2009.

Speaking about internetization of rural regions, PSRC Member noted that they plan to set up a Fund for Universal Services, which will deal with funding of such projects. He stressed that, given assistance of the World Bank, there was a research on the practice of other countries held, the organizational works on Armenia are already completed and the Fund will start functioning in the nearest future.