December 20.2010. Yerevan - VivaCell-MTS, the subsidiary of Mobile TeleSystems OJSC, announces the first in Armenia pilot commercial test launch of 4G LTE network. The launch of the Long-term Evolution (LTE) test network in Yerevan (the center and Komitas Avenue neighborhoods) is the first step of Armenia’s leading mobile operator VivaCell-MTS on its way to the full-scale rollout of 4G/LTE network in the country. VivaCell-MTS will provide its subscribers the opportunity to test the 4G network prior to its full-scale nationwide roll-out. At the official ceremony of launching the 4G network, attended by the Prime Minister of Armenia Tigran Sargsyan, the Minister of Transport and Communication Manuk Vardanyan, the Minister of Economy Tigran Davtyan, the Head of the PSRC Robert Nazaryan, a member of the PSRC Samvel Arabajyan and the Head of the PSRC Telecommunications Department Gevorg Gevorgyan, as well as other high-ranked officials, live testing demonstration with uploading and downloading streams were conducted in real-time conditions using LTE modems. The network theoretical capacity showcased via the speed test 150 Mbps download and 50 Mbps upload. In addition, during the event, bilateral 4G roaming agreement between VivaCell-MTS and MTS Uzbekistan was announced. VivaCell-MTS is the first in the world to have the LTE data roaming. The end-to-end solution for 4G network roll-out in Yerevan was done with the support of Ericsson and Huawei, two of the world leaders in telecommunications technology, who helped enabling VivaCell-MTS to launch their networks on the totally commercial hardware. “VivaCell-MTS’ LTE roll-out positions Armenia to be one of the selected global leaders in 4G deployment. In addition, the launch of 4G is expected to present Armenia as a country with attractive communication infrastructure,” commented VivaCell-MTS General Manager Ralph Yirikian. “As the innovations leader in the telecom market, VivaCell-MTS dedicates this achievement to each and every Armenian all around the world. We are extremely proud that, as a dedicated team, we once again deliver our promise and present a totally new technology in the world, with intent to provide the population of Armenia with a new level of convenience and unsurpassed experience of mobile broadband access.” LTE, the new generation mobile communication technology, enables the provisioning of new mobile applications with higher bandwidth demand. It 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, subscribers are able to use advanced online services, including internet surfing, online gaming, video streaming and HD video on a brand new level without any dependence on the fixed network. “As an innovative company VivaCell-MTS cooperates only with the best in class global suppliers of technology and solutions. Ericsson’s and Huawei’s global experience and their track history, in addition to their substantial contribution to LTE development, were the decisive reasons for us to choose them as key partners for 4G network roll-out in Armenia. Thanks to the close cooperation between our companies, we have built and launched the first LTE network for test operation in the region within the shortest possible terms, and far ahead of the deadlines set by the regulator,” VivaCell-MTS General Manager Ralph Yirikian added.

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