View source for Telecommunications in Armenia

{{Short description|none}}<!---None is correct as [[WP:SDNONE]]--->
{| class="wikitable" border="1" width="300" align="right"
|-
! colspan="2" align="center" | Telecommunications in Armenia
|-
| colspan="2" align="center" | [[File:Flag of Armenia.svg|200px|border]]
|-
| colspan="2" align="center" | [[File:LocationArmenia.svg|280px|border]]
|-
| [[File:Exquisite-Modem.png|25px]] Landlines (2008):
| 2.1 million<ref name="ReferenceA">CIA World Factbook, 2009: Armenia</ref>
|-
| [[File:Phone-motorola-v3i.svg|25px]] Mobile lines (2009):
| 4.5 million<ref name=isoc-am>[https://www.isoc.am/ ''Internet Society of Armenia - Statistics'']</ref>
|-
| [[Country code top-level domain|ccTLD]]:
| [[.am]][[.հայ]]
|-
| [[List of country calling codes|Calling code]]:
| +374
|}

'''Telecommunications in Armenia''' involves the availability and use of [[Electronics|electronic]] devices and services, such as the telephone, television, radio or computer, for the purpose of [[Human communication|communication]]. The various [[telecommunications system]]s found and used in [[Armenia]] includes radio, television, fixed and mobile telephones, and the internet.

==Mobile==
As of 2017, [[Armenia]] has 3.5 million mobile subscribers in total, and a 120% penetration rate.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/armenia/|title = Armenia|date = 12 January 2022}}</ref>
{| class="wikitable" style="width:100%;"
|-
! style="width:3%;"| Rank !! style="width:15%;"| Operator !! style="width:30%;"| Technology !! style="width:20%;"| Subscribers<br /><small>(in millions)</small> !! style="width:32%;"| Ownership
|-
|align=right| 1 || [[MTS (network provider)#MTS Armenia|Viva Armenia]] || [[GSM]]-900/1800&nbsp;MHz ([[GPRS]], [[Enhanced Data Rates for GSM Evolution|EDGE]])<br />[[UMTS]]-900/2100&nbsp;MHz ([[UMTS frequency bands|Band]]: B1/B8) ([[Universal Mobile Telecommunications System|UMTS]], [[High-Speed Downlink Packet Access|HSDPA]])<br />[[LTE (telecommunication)|LTE]], [[LTE Advanced|LTE-A]], [[Voice over LTE|VoLTE]], [[VoWiFi]]<br />[[LTE (telecommunication)|LTE]]-1800/2600&nbsp;MHz ([[LTE frequency bands|Band]]: B3/B7) ([[LTE (telecommunication)|LTE]]), [[5G]]
|| 2.2 (Q1 2022)
|| Fedilco Group
|-
|align=right| 2 || [[Telecom Armenia|Team]] || [[GSM]]-900/1800&nbsp;MHz ([[GPRS]], [[Enhanced Data Rates for GSM Evolution|EDGE]])<br />[[UMTS]]-900/2100&nbsp;MHz ([[UMTS frequency bands|Band]]: B1/B8) ([[Universal Mobile Telecommunications System|UMTS]], [[High-Speed Downlink Packet Access|HSDPA]])<br />[[LTE Advanced|LTE-A]] (900&nbsp;MHz, 1800&nbsp;MHz)
|| 1.0 (November 2017) || [[Telecom Armenia|Telecom Armenia OJSC]]
|-
|align=right| 3 || [[Ucom]] || [[GSM]]-900/1800&nbsp;MHz ([[GPRS]], [[Enhanced Data Rates for GSM Evolution|EDGE]])<br />[[UMTS]]-900/2100&nbsp;MHz ([[UMTS frequency bands|Band]]: B1/B8) [[Universal Mobile Telecommunications System|UMTS]], [[High-Speed Downlink Packet Access|HSDPA]] <br />[[LTE (telecommunication)|LTE]]-800/1800/2600&nbsp;MHz ([[LTE frequency bands|Band]]: B3/B7/B20) ([[LTE Advanced|LTE-A]]), [[Voice over LTE|VoLTE]], [[5G_NR|5G]]
|| 0.933 (December 2017)
|| Ucom
|}

There are three mobile phone operators currently in Armenia: Viva, Team and Ucom. All three offer both [[2G]] and [[3G]] as well as [[4G]] services. All three networks are widely modern and reliable with shops located in major towns and cities where one can purchase a sim card or get assistance if needed. Most unlocked mobile phones are able to be used on roaming, however, network charges apply. Ucom and Viva are often recommended to tourists due to the variety of tariffs available and the help available in a variety of languages.<ref name="autogenerated3">[http://www.akep.al/images/stories/AKEP/statistika/Treguesit-Statistikore-6_Mujori-I-re-2011.pdf "Treguesit Statistikore Te Tregut Te Komunikimeve Elektronike"]{{Dead link|date=August 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} (Statistical Indicators for the Electronic Communications Market), Autoriteti Komunikimeve Elektronike Dhe Postare (Electronic Communications and Postal Authority), November 2011.</ref>
[[File:VivaCell MTS headquarters in Yerevan.JPG|thumb|Headquarters of Viva Armenia, Armenia's leading mobile services provider]]
[[File:Beeline store in Yerevan.JPG|thumb|A Beeline service store on Amiryan Street in downtown Yerevan]]
[[File:Ucom service center in Yerevan.JPG|thumb|A Ucom service store in Yerevan's Arabkir district]]
[[File:Orange Armenia window display.JPG|thumb|A window display at [[Orange S.A.|Orange's]] flagship [[Northern Avenue]] branch advertises various smartphones and a 3G Internet WiFi router. In November 2009, Orange became Armenia's third mobile telecommunications provider, offering a very competitively priced 3G Internet plan. After Ucom bought Orange's shares in 2015, Orange service stores were changed into Ucom stores.]]

As of 2012, approximately 90% of all main lines are digitized.{{citation needed|date=April 2012}} The remaining 10% is in modernization process.

===International system===
[[Yerevan]] is connected to the Trans-Asia-Europe fiber-optic cable via [[Georgia (country)|Georgia]]. Additional international service is available by microwave radio relay and landline connections to other countries of the [[Commonwealth of Independent States]], the [[Moscow]] international switch and by satellite.<ref name="ReferenceA"/>
The main backbones of Armenian networks are made by E3 or STM-1 lines via microwave units across whole country with many passive retranslations.

== Wire telephone services ==
Traditionally, Armenia has well-developed landline telephone services. According to official statistic data of the International Telecommunication Union, as of 2017 there were 505,190 fixed telephone service subscribers in Armenia (residents and businesses) or 17.24 subscribers per 100 inhabitants. The number of fixed telephone users have significantly declined as compared with the previous 10 years from 20.41 in 2006.<ref name="Statistics">{{Cite web|url=https://www.itu.int/en/ITU-D/Statistics/Pages/stat/default.aspx|title=Statistics|website=www.itu.int|language=en-US|access-date=2018-08-30}}</ref> The main reason for the decline is mobile-fixed substitution.

==Radio==
{{see also|Public Radio of Armenia}}
As of 2008, Armenia has 9 AM stations, 17 FM stations, and one shortwave station. Additionally, there are approximately 850,000 radios in existence.<ref name="ReferenceA"/>
The primary network provider is TRBNA.

==Television==
{{main|Television in Armenia}}
Armenia has 48 private television stations alongside 2 public networks with major Russian channels widely available throughout the country.<ref name="ReferenceA"/> In 2008, TRBNA upgraded the main circuit to a digital distribution system based on DVB-IP and MPEG2 standards. According to the Television Association Committee of Armenia, TV penetration rate is 80% according to 2011 data.

==Internet==
{{As of|2009}}, there were approximately 1,400,000 Internet users and approximately 65,279 Internet hosts in Armenia.<ref name="ReferenceA"/>{{better source|date=October 2024}} The country code (Top level domain) for Armenia is [[.am]], which has been used for AM radio stations and for domain hacks.<ref>Country_code_top-level_domain#Commercial_and_vanity_use</ref>

The national communications company [[Telecom Armenia|Armentel]]'s (now Telecom Armenia OJSC) only fiber optic connection to the Internet enters Armenia through Georgia (via [[Marneuli]])<ref>[http://www.arminco.com/en/updates/2008/06/05/fibernet1/ ''Fiber Optic Cable Damage in Georgia''] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081209022506/http://www.arminco.com/en/updates/2008/06/05/fibernet1/ |date=2008-12-09 }}, Arminco, June 5, 2008.</ref> and then connects to the rest of the Internet via an undersea fiber-optic cable in the [[Black Sea]].<ref name="Eurasianet-Aug-7-2006">[http://www.eurasianet.org/resource/armenia/hypermail/200608/0009.shtml ''Armenia Suffers Widespread Internet Outage''], EurasiaNet, August 7, 2006.</ref> Armenia is connected to the Trans-Asia-Europe fiber-optic cable system via Georgia, which runs along the railroad from [[Poti]] to [[Tbilisi]] to the Armenian border near Marneuli.<ref>[http://www.gfsis.org/pub/files/publications_security/gegeshidze_Georgias_Function_As_A_Transit_Country.doc ''Georgia's Function as a Transit Country and Sustainable Development''] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090305151128/http://www.gfsis.org/pub/files/publications_security/gegeshidze_Georgias_Function_As_A_Transit_Country.doc |date=2009-03-05 }}, [[Georgian Foundation for Strategic and International Studies]].</ref>  At Poti, the TAE cable connects to the undersea Georgia-Russia system [[KAFOS (cable system)|KAFOS]] which then connects to the [[BSFOCS|Black Sea Fiber Optic Cable System]].<ref>[http://www.bsfocs.com/connectivity.php ''Black Sea Fiber Optic Cable System: Connectivity''] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060228102903/http://www.bsfocs.com/connectivity.php |date=2006-02-28 }}, Black Sea Fiber Optic Cable System.</ref>  The BSFOCS is co-owned by Armentel.<ref>[http://www.bsfocs.com/owners.php ''BSFOCS: Owners''] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221017104744/http://www.bsfocs.com/owners.php |date=2022-10-17 }}, Black Sea Fiber Optic Cable System.</ref>
[[GNC-Alfa]] is the largest independent internet and data provider in Armenia with 1,500&nbsp;km fibre-optic cable infrastructure, and covering 70% of Armenia.<ref>{{cite web |title=Rostelecom acquires 75% minus one share stake in Armenia's GNC-ALFA |url=https://www.telegeography.com/products/commsupdate/articles/2012/02/03/rostelecom-acquires-75-minus-one-share-stake-in-armenias-gnc-alfa/ |access-date=17 August 2018}}</ref>

===Dial-up===
[[Dial-up Internet access|Dial-up]] was the main type of connectivity in Armenia for several years. The [[United Nations Development Programme]] (UNDP) supported dial-up internet, starting with an office in Armenia in 1997, and developing a network called "Freenet" that reached 6000 users by the year 2000, with 1000 websites and each user having 3 Mb of email storage space and 3 Mb of website storage. By 2004, usage grew to 21,000 users and 3000 websites, with increased storage. A local "Yerevan Internet Exchange" was established, initial based on radio connections and by 2004 mostly on DSL connections. The UNDP viewed the role of the internet as promoting democracy, with online forums discussing human rights, the environment, political parties and the Armenian constitution.<ref name="UNPAN_browsing_democracy">{{cite Q|Q130681384}}</ref> In 2008, dial-up connections expanded when Telecom Armenia OJSC ([[Beeline (brand)|Beeline TM]]) started operation of an [[ADSL]] network and together with VivaCell-MTS (now Viva Armenia) and [[Orange Armenia]] also introduced portable [[Mobile broadband modem|USB-modems]], which are operated mainly in 3G networks and are still{{when|date=October 2024}} very popular in rural areas especially in small mountainous villages where landline connectivity is not available.{{cn|date=October 2024}}

===Broadband===
According to official statistics from the International Telecommunication Union, the number of [[broadband]] subscribers in Armenia in 2017 was 315,319 users or 10.76 users per 100 persons.<ref name="Statistics"/>

====ADSL====
A major part of DSL connectivity is offered by Telecom Armenia OJSC (Beeline TM). Some other [[Internet service provider|ISPs]] ([[Arminco]], WEB, Bionet and others) also offer DSL connectivities mainly using leased infrastructure of Telecom Armenia OJSC.

====WiMAX====
Rapid development of [[WiMAX]] was recorded in 2008–2010. Two WiMAX providers, namely Icon Communications and Cornet Ltd. operating in the 3.6–3.8&nbsp;GHz band using IEEE 802.16e reached 2000 users each, but shortly disappeared from the market due to strong competition with ADSL and FTTB operators. Cornet was closed and Icon Communications was acquired by Telecom Armenia OJSC (Beeline TM).

====FTTB====
[[Fiber to the x|Fibre to the building]] broadband connectivity is offered by at least four major operators, namely Viva Armenia, Ucom, Telecom Armenia OJSC (operated under Beeline TM) and GNC-Alfa (operated under [[Rostelecom|Rostelecom TM]]). All three companies offer triple play services including internet, [[IPTV]] and telephone services.

===Internet censorship===
Listed as engaged in substantial filtering in the political area and selective filtering in the social, conflict/security, and internet tools areas by the [[OpenNet Initiative]] (ONI) in November 2010.<ref name=ONI-Armenia-Nov2010>[http://opennet.net/research/profiles/armenia "ONI Country Profile: Armenia"], OpenNet Initiative, 17 November 2010</ref>

Access to the internet in Armenia is largely unfettered, although evidence of second and third-generation filtering is mounting. Armenia's political climate is volatile and largely unpredictable. In times of political unrest, the government has not hesitated to put in place restrictions on the internet as a means to curtail public protest and discontent.<ref name="ONI-Armenia-Nov2010"/> According to Article 11 of the Law of the Republic of Armenia on Police, law enforcement has the right to block content to prevent criminal activity.<ref>Article 11 of the [http://www.parliament.am/legislation.php?sel=show&ID=1271&lang=eng Law of the Republic of Armenia on Police], adopted on 16 April 2001, Official Bulletin No 15(147) of 31 May 2001.</ref>

Armenia's internet access is delivered by Russian providers, occasionally resulting in censorship by Russian ISPs. In 2012 Russian authorities blocked kavkazcenter.com, resulting in it being blocked in Armenia.<ref>[http://media.am/en/blocked-website-in-armenia "Armenia Subject to Censorship from Russia"], Media.am, 25 December 2012. Retrieved on 14 December 2014.</ref> In 2014 five other websites were blocked due to filtering by the Russian telecommunications regulator [[Roskomnadzor]]. ISPs claimed the blocks were due to technical error and were removed.<ref name=FH-Armenia-2014>[https://freedomhouse.org/report/freedom-net/2014/armenia "Freedom on the Net 2014: Armenia"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190424163821/https://freedomhouse.org/report/freedom-net/2014/armenia |date=2019-04-24 }}, Freedom House. Retrieved on 14 December 2014.</ref>

===2011 Armenian internet outage===
The 2011 Armenian internet outage occurred in April 2011 when an elderly woman from [[Georgia (country)|Georgia]] accidentally cut through an underground cable giving internet access to Armenia.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2011-04-06|title=Georgian woman cuts off web access to whole of Armenia|url=http://www.theguardian.com/world/2011/apr/06/georgian-woman-cuts-web-access|access-date=2021-03-05|website=the Guardian|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|title=Little Old Lady With Shovel Disrupts Internet In 2 Nations|url=https://www.npr.org/2011/04/07/135201463/little-old-lady-with-shovel-disrupts-internet-in-2-nations|access-date=2021-03-08|website=NPR.org|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=Lomsadze|first=Giorgi|date=2011-04-08|title=A Shovel Cuts Off Armenia's Internet|language=en-US|work=Wall Street Journal|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052748704630004576249013084603344|access-date=2021-03-08|issn=0099-9660}}</ref>

== International cooperation ==
Armenia is a member of the [[European Telecommunications Satellite Organization]], the [[International Telecommunications Satellite Organization]], the [[International Telecommunication Union]], and the [[International Amateur Radio Union]].

Armenia has also ratified the [[Budapest Convention on Cybercrime]] and the [[Constitution and Convention of the International Telecommunication Union]].

In 2019, Armenia joined the "EU's Cybersecurity East Project" by the [[European Union Agency for Cybersecurity]]. The project aims at improving [[cybersecurity]] and fostering cooperation with the EU.<ref>{{Cite web |title=International Cooperation: ENISA Welcomes EU Eastern Partnership Delegation for a Study Visit to its Headquarters |url=https://www.enisa.europa.eu/news/enisa-news/international-cooperation-enisa-welcomes-eu-eastern-partnership-delegation-for-a-study-visit-to-its-headquarters |access-date=2024-02-06 |website=ENISA |language=en}}</ref>

== See also ==
{{Portal|Telecommunications}}
* [[ArmCosmos]]
* [[Media of Armenia]]
* [[Ministry of Transport and Communication (Armenia)]]

==References==
{{reflist|33em}}
{{CIA World Factbook|year=2010}}

==External links==
* [[:ru:Список интернет-провайдеров Армении]] List of Internet providers in Armenia, Russian
* Krikorian, Onnik: "Internet in Armenia: Slow, Expensive, but Increasingly Important" in the [http://www.laender-analysen.de/cad/pdf/CaucasusAnalyticalDigest15.pdf Caucasus Analytical Digest No. 15]
* Porsughyan, Arpine: "Traditional Failings versus Non-Traditional Prospects of the Armenian Media" in the [http://www.laender-analysen.de/cad/pdf/CaucasusAnalyticalDigest25.pdf Caucasus Analytical Digest No. 25]

{{Armenia topics}}
{{Telecommunications}} 
{{Asia topic|Telecommunications in}}
{{Europe topic|Telecommunications in}}
{{Internet censorship by country}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Telecommunications In Armenia}}
[[Category:Telecommunications in Armenia| ]]
[[Category:Internet in Armenia]]