Thursday, March 6 2014

 VivaCell-MTS commercially launched its 4G/LTE network in most parts of Yerevan, as well as Gyumri, Vanadzor, Dilijan and Tsakhadzor, with theoretical capacity of downlink peak data rates of up to 150 Mbps, and uplink data rates of up to 50 Mbps. VivaCell-MTS 4G/LTE can provide speeds of up to 60 Mbps in the downlink, and 20 Mbps in the uplink, as showcased via the speed tests using the end-user equipment sold at VivaCell-MTS service centers. These speeds are significantly faster than most advanced 3G network speeds currently available in Armenia. The 4G was launched by VivaCell-MTS General Manager Ralph Yirikian, in the presence of Vice President and Head of Business Unit MTS Foreign Subsidiaries Andrey Smelkov.    

As part of extensive, ongoing investment in 4G/LTE network infrastructure, VivaCell-MTS has recently installed state-of-the-art 4G/LTE equipment, including 200 LTE eNodeB base stations, covering the 70% of Yerevan area, 100% territory in Gyumri, Vanadzor, and Tsakhadzor, as well as 80% of the Dilijan . VivaCell-MTS 4G/LTE nationwide rollout once again positions VivaCell-MTS as an innovations leader both in Armenia and the region. VivaCell-MTS is the first Armenian mobile operator granted the permission to use radio frequencies within 40 MHz range for LTE-based 4G network in Yerevan and the regions.

Introduced for the first time in Armenia in December 2010, the 4G/LTE network till recently was only covering the business center of Yerevan. Today, VivaCell-MTS 4G/LTE network, the only one in the country, already covers about 33% of the populated areas of the country, overall.

4G/LTE, the new generation mobile communication technology, enables the provisioning of new mobile applications with higher bandwidth demand. 4G is the most efficient and cost-effective method of high-speed data transfer with the best utilization of the frequency spectrum. With an increased data rate and reduced latency, increasing productivity and the opportunity to get work done where their business takes them, VivaCell-MTS 4G/LTE subscribers are able to use advanced online services, including Internet surfing, online gaming, video streaming and HD video on a brand new level.

4G LTE technology has a potential to contribute to e-learning, telemedicine, emergency situations, IT sector, sports, the sphere of entertainment, mass media, B2B, surveillance systems for business and individuals, remote control of in-house systems and appliances, the creation of Internet infrastructure in remote locations with utilization of minimal resources, etc. at the same time, VivaCell-MTS 4G/LTE users will be seamlessly switching over to the 3G network, whenever they leave the 4G network. The devices offered by VivaCell-MTS, including dongles and phones, are also compatible with GSM protocol.

"The first large-scale 4G/LTE network in Armenia gives our customers a serious competitive advantage. With the 4G/LTE network made available in five major cities of Armenia - Yerevan, Gyumri, Vanadzor, Tsakhadzor and Dilijan, the Internet is now completely different, as 4G/LTE network is able to increase the speed capacities of the network tens of times, providing Armenians with a new level of convenience and unsurpassed experience of mobile broadband access", VivaCell-MTS General Manager Ralph Yirikian commented. "The nationwide roll-out of 4G/LTE positions Armenia as one of the selected global leaders in 4G deployment, as well as presents Armenia to the world as a country with more attractive communication infrastructure."

VivaCell-MTS is committed to continuing the expansion of the LTE coverage in Yerevan as well as deployment of its LTE network further on in the regions, making available the benefits of 4G-based services to all subscribers.