VivaCell-MTS: MNP introduction will be logical in case the 3 operators prove equal coverage

Yerevan/Mediamax/. Talks on introduction of Mobile Number Portability (MNP) service in Armenia have activated recently.

Orange Armenia CEO first made a statement. Then, member of PSRC Samvel Arabajyan commented on the topic in his interview to Mediamax. ArmenTel CEO Igor Klimko also spoke on the MNP.

Mediamax asked VivaCell-MTS General Manager Ralph Yirikian to comment on it:

“We support introduction of the service on our market but we are sure that decisions shouldn’t be made in a hurry.

Each market has its peculiarities and nuances. I am sure that provision of equal coverage on the countries’ territory by all the three operators is a necessary precondition for MNP introduction. It may seem my words contradict VivaCell-MTS’ interests as we currently have the largest network in Armenia, and it’s not a secret that we leave behind the two other partner operators by the sizes of our network. But in this case we should be guided not by the consideration of profit of this or that operator but having in mind the interests of our country, citizens and consumers. For instance, VivaCell-MTS has coverage in the village of Movses of Tavush region which is of strategic significance while two other operators don’t. If MNP is introduced in such conditions how can the residents of the village make use of it?

We think that MNP introduction will be logical in case the three operators provide equal coverage. Only in this case can we say that the introduction of the service is aimed at providing real choice for consumers”.