OREANDA-NEWS. October 28, 2010. COMSTAR – United TeleSystems (OJSC  COMSTAR-UTS, LSE: CMST), the leading supplier of integrated telecommunication solutions in Russia and the CIS, announces that ZAO Kornet-AM, COMSTAR-UTS affiliate in Armenia, one of the leading telecom operators in the country, has commenced pilot operation of WiMAX network in the city of Tsakhkadzor. OmniMAX equipment developed and manufactured by INTRACOM TELECOM, OJSC  SITRONICS affiliate, is used for implementation of the project.

All equipment installation, communication channels arrangement and technical support activities are performed by INTRACOM Armenia, INTRACOM TELECOM affiliate in Armenia.

In 2008 Kornet-AM became the first Armenian company to implement the concept of a nation-wide telecom network based on WiMAX wireless broadband Internet access technology. Its coverage enables provision of services both in Yerevan and 19 largest cities of Armenia (Gyumri, Vanadzor, Abovyan, Ashtarak, Artashat, Echmiadzin, Armavir, Goris, Kapan, Spitak, Alaverdy, Stepanavan, Ijevan, Dilijan, Sevan, Gavar, Charentsavan, Razdan, Kajaran). Technological capabilities ensure accessibility of the services in settlements located within a radius of 20 km from the cities of presence, which enables service accessibility in rural districts.

Since October 2010 Kornet-AM has launched in Tsakhkadzor a pilot project of mobile WiMAX development, a technology providing wireless Internet access service with network user seamless transfer from one base station to another. The project includes OmniMAX solution, enabling wireless broadband Internet access service provision to different types of end users: both stationary and mobile. OmniMAX operates at 2.5-2.7 GHz and 3.4-3.8 GHz frequency ranges and is fully compliant with IEEE

“WiMAX in Armenia is the first broadband access technology used by Kornet-AM to implement its key development concept – consistency and accessibility of Internet access services all over Armenia. Kornet-AM WiMAX network emerged long before the market launch of other wireless broadband access (WBA) technologies and to certain extent catalyzed generation of WBA demand and market in Armenia, by providing remote regions with reliable communication support. I am confident that WiMAX, as a technology and a heart of Kornet-AM network, will hold adequate position on service market, where quality, reliability and individual approach are important”, said Boris Demirkhanyan, Director General of ZAO Kornet-AM.

Alexander Krasovsky, OJSC  SITRONICS Sales Vice President, noted: “Over the last years our telecom business line has been actively developing WiMAX solutions. High performance, international standards compliance and flexible approach to cost result in OmniMAX equipment demand in Russia and the CIS, where broadband wireless data transfer market is extensively forming.”

Under the pilot project OmniMAX multisegment base station, providing access and coverage throughout Tsakhkadzor, has been introduced. Major task of this project is testing OmniMAX equipment in possession of Kornet-AM at 3.6-3.8 GHz frequency range, its compatibility with the existing Company’s network infrastructure, as well as integrateability with the existing network core. Providing the pilot project is successfully completed, the Company will get access to alternative equipment for further network expansion.