Mobile TeleSystems OJSC (better known as MTS), which is the largest mobile phone operator in Russia and the CIS, has announced the commercial launch of its 3G network in Armenia.
MTS has launched the first UMTS / HSPA 3G network in Armenia in the three largest cities of the country: Yerevan, the capital of Armenia, Guymri and Vanadzor. The network will be expanded to additional cities during 2009. The next-generation network will deliver faster data download speeds through the advanced UMTS / HSPA technology, enabling such innovative services such as video calling, and increase capacity to handle usage growth.
“By introducing 3G technology in Armenia, we are keen on playing our part in developing the telecommunications infrastructure in the country and offering consumers new products and services as well as enhanced quality,” commented Mr. Oleg Raspopov, Vice President for Foreign Subsidiaries at MTS. “We view our 3G network as an ideal vehicle to meet the growing mobile broadband demand in Armenia and help stimulate further uptake in data and content services.”
Development of UMTS networks is a cornerstone of MTS’ strategy to provide mobile broadband in the CIS. As these markets demonstrate relatively low levels of fixed-line penetration and historic underinvestment in infrastructure, MTS views its networks as an ideal vehicle to meet the growing broadband Internet needs of its subscribers through attractive data products and services.
The spread of 3G globally as the preferred radio technology to deliver next-gen services continues – note that MTS, like many other Operators, are very focused on Mobile Broadband – something that has proven itself again and again to be an outright winner for ARPU generation.
I’m looking forward to reading further reports about the ongoing developments by MTS as they begin to push the HSPA network to capacity – these sorts of networks can theoretically manage something like 28Mbps download rates at peak – nice!
[Original story via: MTS]