Telecommunications in Armenia

Telecommunications in Armenia involves the availability and use of electronic devices and services, such as the telephone, television, radio or computer, for the purpose of communication.

The various telecommunications systems found and used in Armenia includes radio, television, fixed and mobile telephones, and the internet.

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.

[1] The main backbones of Armenian networks are made by E3 or STM-1 lines via microwave units across whole country with many passive retranslations.

Armenia has 48 private television stations alongside 2 public networks with major Russian channels widely available throughout the country.

[1] In 2008, TRBNA upgraded the main circuit to a digital distribution system based on DVB-IP and MPEG2 standards.

[8] 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.

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.

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.

[5] A major part of DSL connectivity is offered by Telecom Armenia OJSC (Beeline TM).

Some other ISPs (Arminco, WEB, Bionet and others) also offer DSL connectivities mainly using leased infrastructure of Telecom Armenia OJSC.

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.

Headquarters of Viva Armenia, Armenia's leading mobile services provider
A Beeline service store on Amiryan Street in downtown Yerevan
A Ucom service store in Yerevan's Arabkir district
A window display at 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.