service, and cost calculation standards for the incumbent operators and service providers. Even though the government does not have direct political influence on the
decisions of the regulator, the PSRC is not entirely independent, as it is financed by
the state and its members are appointed by the president upon nomination of the
prime minister. The regulator frequently does not consult with operators on all important questions that affect them.
In the context of other CIS countries, Internet legislation in Armenia has demonstrated liberal trends. For example, Armenia was one of the first countries that opened
the 2.4-GHz frequency band for free use by ISPs and end users. Data services have been
fully liberalized since December 2006 and voice services since October 2007. There are
four types of licenses for providing communication services: (1) a generic ‘‘network’’
license; (2) a license for the provision of electronic communications services (data
transmission and Internet access); (3) a license for providing VoIP services; and (4) a
license for utilization of radio frequencies.
Generally, the fees for obtaining a license are low. Electronic communications and
VoIP licenses are obtained after a relatively simple procedure. By contrast, network
licenses are granted through a rather complicated process.
The supply of leased-line services has always been an obligation of the incumbent
operator in Armenia. Although the license requires the incumbent to provide leasedline services on a transparent and nondiscriminatory basis, communications providers
have complained of the selective provision of leased-line services and alleged frequent
refusals by the incumbent. The tariffs for leased-line services are subject to approval by
the national regulator. The legal regime for local loops unbundling and access to the
network still does not meet international standards, a fact which negatively affects
market competition.
With regard to media rights, the Armenian constitution guarantees freedom of expression, media, and other means of mass information (Article 27) and freedom of
entrepreneurship and ownership. 34 Armenian media have become increasingly
restricted since 2003. Most newspapers act as a mouthpiece for official political agendas, and television stations are predominantly progovernment. 35 In practice, censorship is widespread among journalists.
In 2005, Armenia signed and ratified the Optional Protocol of the Convention on
the Rights of the Child on the Sale of Children, Child Prostitution, and Child Pornography. Armenia’s Criminal Code implemented these conventions, criminalizing, inter
alia, the possession and distribution of child pornography on computer networks.
Moreover, according to the Law on Mass Media (2003), the publication of any kind of
pornographic material in mass media (including the Internet) is prohibited. Indeed,
there have been at least two criminal convictions over the last three years related to
the dissemination of pornographic materials on the Internet.
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Armenia
decisions of the regulator, the PSRC is not entirely independent, as it is financed by
the state and its members are appointed by the president upon nomination of the
prime minister. The regulator frequently does not consult with operators on all important questions that affect them.
In the context of other CIS countries, Internet legislation in Armenia has demonstrated liberal trends. For example, Armenia was one of the first countries that opened
the 2.4-GHz frequency band for free use by ISPs and end users. Data services have been
fully liberalized since December 2006 and voice services since October 2007. There are
four types of licenses for providing communication services: (1) a generic ‘‘network’’
license; (2) a license for the provision of electronic communications services (data
transmission and Internet access); (3) a license for providing VoIP services; and (4) a
license for utilization of radio frequencies.
Generally, the fees for obtaining a license are low. Electronic communications and
VoIP licenses are obtained after a relatively simple procedure. By contrast, network
licenses are granted through a rather complicated process.
The supply of leased-line services has always been an obligation of the incumbent
operator in Armenia. Although the license requires the incumbent to provide leasedline services on a transparent and nondiscriminatory basis, communications providers
have complained of the selective provision of leased-line services and alleged frequent
refusals by the incumbent. The tariffs for leased-line services are subject to approval by
the national regulator. The legal regime for local loops unbundling and access to the
network still does not meet international standards, a fact which negatively affects
market competition.
With regard to media rights, the Armenian constitution guarantees freedom of expression, media, and other means of mass information (Article 27) and freedom of
entrepreneurship and ownership. 34 Armenian media have become increasingly
restricted since 2003. Most newspapers act as a mouthpiece for official political agendas, and television stations are predominantly progovernment. 35 In practice, censorship is widespread among journalists.
In 2005, Armenia signed and ratified the Optional Protocol of the Convention on
the Rights of the Child on the Sale of Children, Child Prostitution, and Child Pornography. Armenia’s Criminal Code implemented these conventions, criminalizing, inter
alia, the possession and distribution of child pornography on computer networks.
Moreover, according to the Law on Mass Media (2003), the publication of any kind of
pornographic material in mass media (including the Internet) is prohibited. Indeed,
there have been at least two criminal convictions over the last three years related to
the dissemination of pornographic materials on the Internet.
142
Armenia