Rostelecom enters the Armenian retail internet market

Yerevan/Mediamax/. GNC-Alfa trunk operator will start providing services in Armenia under \"Rostelecom\" brand from now on, Vice President of \"Rostelecom\" Naum Marder stated in Yerevan today.

In early 2012, \"Rostelecom\" purchased 75% of shares of the Armenian company for USD22.5mln.

Speaking at a joint press conference with GNC-Alfa General Director Hayk Farmazyan, Naum Marder announced that starting today, GNC-Alfa will start providing landline, internet services and interactive TV for individuals soon.

\"Making infrastructure investments in GNC-Alfa, Rostelecom created a stable basis for entering the Armenian landline communication, internet and soon - interactive TV- market\", noted Naum Marder adding that in 2012, USD10mln was invested in the Armenian company and USD12mln will be invested in 2013.

Hayk Farmazyan said that providing of retail services will start with the regions of Armenia taking into account the weak competition on the internet market outside Yerevan and simultaneously, the high demand for modern telecommunication services in the regions.

\"The first office under \"Rostelecom\" brand opens in Abovyan (where GNC-Alfa head office is located). The following offices will open in Ashtarak and Gyumri. Till the end of the year, sales offices will be launched in 5 towns and the company is going to open 4 more offices in January\", said Hayk Farmazyan adding that the company is going to start operation on all the retail markets of Armenia including the capital in 2013-2014.

Tariff for Rostelecom internet services in Armenia start from AMD6000 (at 3MBps). In 2013, the company is expected to enter into the market of digital TV.

GNC-Alfa has operated on the wholesale internet market and corporate customers so far. The company\'s chain has been operating in 47 towns of Armenia.

The GNC-Alfa network stretches 2.5km covering 80% of Armenia\'s territory. The company has 3 own international gateways: 2 of them - through Georgia, and 1 - through Iran.

Rostelecom is a universal telecommunication company and largest internet operator in Russia (about 9mln customers).