Starting from 2002, "Karabakh Telecom" has been developing telecommunications in Artsakh Republic by implementing various programs both in communication sphere and within the framework of social support.
Karekin Odabashian: "Viable are those enterprises, which constantly improve themselves and form expectations of self-improvement"
STEPANAKERT, JANUARY 28, ARTSAKHPRESS: “Artsakhpress” had an interview with the Director-General of "Karabakh Telecom" Karekin Odabashian about company's activities, achievements and future projects:
- Mr. Odabashian, in 2014 "Karabakh Telecom" headed a list of Artsakh top taxpayers, which is a great honor for any company. Can we assume that the field of telecommunications in our country has really experienced a serious flourishing?
-You know, the specific feature of the sphere of communication is that it directly and almost always refers to subscribers. Consequently, the perception and assessment are mainly formed in subscribers. We just work, and our main mission is to develop, expand and improve the field of telecommunications in NKR. I am proud to state that despite the difficult geographical situation of Nagorno-Karabakh, we effectively provide mobile and Internet covering almost on the entire territory of the republic.
- What works are being done to improve the quality of services provided by the company?
- The nature of service sector is quite mobile, and it requires constant monitoring and review. Since, as I said, the real recipients of services are subscribers, the matter also requires permanent enhancement and quality improvement. In this context, our work can be divided into two basic levels - internal and external, which are complementary if neccessary. They involve the systematic improvement of internal works, quality of service and various activities aimed at structural consolidation and infrastructure improvement. In this regard, we improve the quality of service not only in accordance with the situation, that is, in terms of meeting the needs of advanced users, but also forming a culture of getting better service. Viable are those enterprises which are constantly improving themselves and form expectations of self-improvement.
-What measures are being taken by "Karabakh Telecom" to provide services and in which particular spheres?
-We stress the importance of the development of information technology, by providing our customers with innovative and frequently updated services. In line with this, new services are created in the direction of providing a mobile, digital fixed and fixed-line wireless telephone system, Internet services, including fiber-optic network, wireless Internet service (Wi-Fi), as well as a network of mobile Internet services of third generation (3G). Particularly, the involvement of mobile service centers is more remarkable, which will increase the availability of the company's services to people in remote villages and give flexibility to the relationship between the company and the subscribers. Additional public communication in connection with these initiatives, no doubt, will be provided.
- If summing up, what percentage of the territory of Artsakh is provided with Internet connection and mobile communication? Do you plan to expand the provision of appropriate services?
-95% of the republic is covered with mobile communication of second generation (2G), with the result that the population can take advantage of high-quality telephone service and other options of mobile internet (skype, viber, email). Moreover, all the cities of the country are provided with the possibility of faster mobile internet (3G). Thus, 141 villages and towns in the republic that is about 98% of the country have the opportunity to use internet service provided by the company. The major achievement in this direction in the past year was connection of the city of Shushi to fiber-optic network, in accordance with the improved software and Internet services. It should be noted that in 2014 fiber-optic communication strengthened the "principal artery" of the telecommunications network of Artsakh, which made possible to link Stepanakert with Shushi, Askeran, Hadrut, Martakert and Martuni. In the current year the works on network security, intercity roads' mobile coverage improvement will be continuing. We plan to organize a holistic mobile communication works to connect the second highway- Martakert-Vardenis road, which serves as a link between two armenian republics, to mobile communication. Activities will be undertaken to create a cover and modernization of existing stations. We are preparing for this important event of strategic importance with high responsibility. We believe that the provision of a telecommunications network will contribute to the comprehensive development of areas adjacent to regions' roads, to ensure growth in the social, economic, cultural and other fields.
-Mr. Odabashian, we often hear criticism that Artsakh and Armenia - is one homeland, and the fact that subscribers of mobile operators in Armenia and Artsakh must use roaming services, is wrong. We would like to hear your explanation.
- Undoubtedly, Armenia and Artsakh - is one homeland, but also- two independent states. In my opinion, the most important achievement in the modern history of the armenian nation is the creation of the second independent armenian state. And we are proud of this achievement. Since Armenia and Artsakh are individual states, according to the requirements of the International Association of Mobile Communication and conditions of permition, the subscribers who use the services of existing operators in the same area, continue to stay in touch on the other territories only through international roaming. These are stable rules in the international telecommunications. Therefore, currently roaming can not be eradicated. However, we have been constantly working towards reducing roaming tariffs. About two years ago in the result of negotiations between the companies "Karabakh Telecom" and "Viva Cell MTS", roaming tariff was set at 45 drams per minute (including VAT). Then, on the initiative of "Karabakh Telecom", negotiations were started with the company "ArmenTel", the purpose of which was to ensure the same conditions for roaming services, as those for "Viva Cell MTS".
According to the results of negotiations that lasted about two years, factually, from January 1, 2015 for the subscribers of "Karabakh Telecom" in Armenia (instead of the previous 232 AMD for postpaid and 235 AMD for prepaid), and those of "ArmenTel" on the territory of Nagorno-Karabakh, the tariff for roaming has been set at the amount of 45 AMD per minute.Together with our partners in Armenia, we constantly monitor the roaming rates for updating them if possible.
- "Karabakh Telecom" company annually carries out large-scale charitable programs. Will the tradition continue this year and what are your plans in this direction?
It is known, that since its inception, the company "Karabakh Telecom" has conducted numerous charitable programs for 13 years.
Corporate social responsibility is one of the priorities of our company. Some programs are carried out within the framework of cooperation between the public and private sectors. Only during the past year "Karabakh Telecom" assisted in the amount of 1 billion drams to various fields, including health, education, construction of churches, security forces, as well as the National Lottery of Artsakh and other initiatives aimed at promoting the process of settlement of Artsakh.
We periodically select those areas that mostly need assistance. Therefore, these initiatives will certainly continue in the future with a new and more comprehensive scale manner.
