Yerevan, November 24 /Mediamax/. The Commission for Regulation of Public Services of Armenia made a decision today to keep the functioning tariffs for fixed telephone communication valid till March 1, 2007.

Mediamax reports that the decision of the Commission reads that till March 1 of 2007 the given tariffs will be considered “transitional”.

Chairman of the Commission Robert Nazarian stated that the Commission considered it necessary to hold talks on the tariff policy with the new owner of the “ArmenTel” Company - Russian “VimpelCom” operator.

Mediamax notes that on October 13 of 2006 the Commission for Regulation of Public Services of Armenia refused to allow the application of “ArmenTel” on reconsideration of the tariffs for the fixed telephone communication and internet-services “in view of lack of enough grounds”.

Then, the talks of representatives of “ArmenTel” and the Commission followed, during which, however, the sides did not manage to reach agreement.

“ArmenTel” turned to the Commission for regulation of Public Services of Armenia with an application to reconsider the tariffs in early September of 2006. The Company, in particular, proposed to increase the monthly subscriber fee for the telephone for citizens from 1100 to 3000 AMD, as well as to increase the cost of per minute fee for telephone talks.--0--

The newly-appointed General Director of the “ArmenTel” Company Oleg Bliznyuk refrained from communication with the Armenian journalists today.

Mediamax reports that Oleg Bliznyuk noted that the deal of purchasing “ArmenTel” by the Russian “VimpelCom” was concluded 9 days ago, and he was appointed for his position only yesterday, on November 23.

“The leadership of the company needs some time to present answers to all the questions that interest you”, the General Director of “ArmenTel” stated.

Oleg Bliznyuk noted that in early December “ArmenTel” plans to hold a press-lunch in Yerevan, where the representative of “VimpelCom” will also take part. “I hope that then we will be able to have a more detailed and open talk”, the General Director of “ArmenTel” stated.