Armenia to Offer a 3rd GSM License

Armenia is expected to launch a tender for the country's third GSM license this coming May - reports local newspaper, Panorama. The newspaper reports that the the tender details are still being confirmed, but will include spectrum in both the GSM900 and GSM1800 bands.

According to some rumors cited by the newspaper, the tender results will be announced in August and Russia's Megafon is likely to win the tender - which rather suggests that it might not be an open competition.

Armenia currently has two mobile networks, Armentel (majority owned by Russia's VimpelCom) and VivaCell (majority owned by Russia's MTS). Figures from the Mobile World show that the country ended last year with a shade under 3 million subscribers - representing a population penetration level of 61%.

On the web: Panorama - Mobile World

Posted to the site on 28th March 2008