Ucom: Difference between revisions
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{{Short description|Telecommunication company in Armenia}} |
{{Short description|Telecommunication company in Armenia}} |
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{{Citation style|date=March 2021}} |
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{{Infobox company |
{{Infobox company |
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| name = Ucom |
| name = Ucom |
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| services = [[Landline|Fixed Line]], [[mobile phone|Mobile Telephony]], [[Cable television]], and [[Broadband]] |
| services = [[Landline|Fixed Line]], [[mobile phone|Mobile Telephony]], [[Cable television]], and [[Broadband]] |
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| owner = Ucom |
| owner = Ucom |
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| homepage = {{ |
| homepage = {{URL|www.ucom.am}} |
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| footnotes = |
| footnotes = |
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}} |
}} |
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'''Ucom''' is a [[mobile network operator]] and [[internet service provider]] |
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'''Ucom''' is a [[mobile network operator]] and [[internet service provider]] based in [[Armenia]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.telegeography.com/products/commsupdate/articles/2016/03/15/ucom-readies-orange-armenia-re-branding/|title=UCOM readies Orange Armenia re-branding|last=TeleGeography|work=telegeography.com|access-date=2017-07-04|language=en-us}}</ref> It is managed by [[Galaxy Group of Companies]], a holding company operating in Armenia.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://news.am/eng/news/488628.html|title="Galaxy" Group of Companies summarizes the year of 2018|website=news.am|language=en|access-date=2020-02-10}}</ref> |
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==History== |
==History== |
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Ucom was founded in 2009.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Ucom|url=https://infocom.am/Article/Infotag?i=%D5%85%D5%B8%D6%82%D6%84%D5%B8%D5%B4 |
Ucom was founded in 2009.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Ucom|url=https://infocom.am/Article/Infotag?i=%D5%85%D5%B8%D6%82%D6%84%D5%B8%D5%B4}}</ref> Ucom provides its Internet services through its own fiber-optic channel connecting Armenia with [[Georgia (country)|Georgia]]. This allows the company to provide transit internet to the [[Middle East]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Internet Transmission Definition |url=https://www.lawinsider.com/dictionary/internet-transmission |access-date=2022-04-12 |website=Law Insider |language=en}}</ref> |
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In 2013, the company received a license to provide public mobile internet services, and in 2015 acquired a 100% stake in [[Orange S.A.|Orange]] Armenia, thus entering the Armenian mobile market.<ref>{{Cite web|title=PSRC authorises UCOM's Orange Armenia buyout|url=https://www.commsupdate.com/articles/2015/08/21/psrc-authorises-ucoms-orange-armenia-buyout/|access-date=2021-02-17|website=www.commsupdate.com}}</ref> Following this, the company launched the [[4G+]] network in Armenia, which acted as a supplement to the company's combined services, providing customers with the complete "4 in 1" package of IPTV, fixed and mobile phone services, and internet service. |
In 2013, the company received a license to provide public mobile internet services, and in 2015 acquired a 100% stake in [[Orange S.A.|Orange]] Armenia, thus entering the Armenian mobile market.<ref>{{Cite web|title=PSRC authorises UCOM's Orange Armenia buyout|url=https://www.commsupdate.com/articles/2015/08/21/psrc-authorises-ucoms-orange-armenia-buyout/|access-date=2021-02-17|website=www.commsupdate.com}}</ref> Following this, the company launched the [[4G+]] network in Armenia, which acted as a supplement to the company's combined services, providing customers with the complete "4 in 1" package of IPTV, fixed and mobile phone services, and internet service. |
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In 2017, during the Customer Advisory Board meeting that took place in [[San Francisco]] at the initiative of Calix, Ucom and Calix announced the introduction of NG-PON2 (New Generation Passive Optical Network) technology in [[Armenia]], which would enable Ucom to upgrade the bandwidth speed from 1 gigabit/sec in its fixed network to 10 gigabits/sec |
In 2017, during the Customer Advisory Board meeting that took place in [[San Francisco]] at the initiative of Calix, Ucom and Calix announced the introduction of NG-PON2 (New Generation Passive Optical Network) technology in [[Armenia]], which would enable Ucom to upgrade the bandwidth speed from 1 gigabit/sec in its fixed network to 10 gigabits/sec. With the construction of the NG-PON2 network, it was possible to provide higher quality services, speed, security and new services.{{citation needed|date=April 2022}} |
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In April 2017, Ucom and FORA-BANK Joint-Stock Commercial Bank (part of Tashir Group) signed a partnership agreement for projects including the full range of telecommunications services, covering the entire territory of [[Armenia]] as well as its most remote regions. The implementation of the investment program defined by the agreement allowed expanding 4Play offers and 4G+ network in the country. Future plans include expansion of operations, especially in [[Russia]], which would allow Ucom to become a leading pan-Armenian telecommunications operator.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Ucom & Fora Bank/Tashir. The full range of telecommunications services throughout Armenia, including the most remote regions|url=https://b24.am/business/65537.html |
In April 2017, Ucom and FORA-BANK Joint-Stock Commercial Bank (part of Tashir Group) signed a partnership agreement for projects including the full range of telecommunications services, covering the entire territory of [[Armenia]] as well as its most remote regions. The implementation of the investment program defined by the agreement allowed expanding 4Play offers and 4G+ network in the country. Future plans include expansion of operations, especially in [[Russia]], which would allow Ucom to become a leading pan-Armenian telecommunications operator.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Ucom & Fora Bank/Tashir. The full range of telecommunications services throughout Armenia, including the most remote regions|url=https://b24.am/business/65537.html}}</ref> |
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Ucom has also been active in the field of [[corporate social responsibility]], implementing a number of programs aimed at the development of children, particularly in the sphere of education. With the support of the company, computer engineering laboratories were opened in some Armenian schools, promoting the development of the ICT sector. The company also supports vulnerable groups in society by continuing to implement the "Let's Keep Children in Families" SMS charity project, which provides families with resources that allow parents to create a stable source of income and release their children from the care of state institutions.<ref>{{Cite news|title="Keep the children in the family" program, one more family has the opportunity to provide a stable income|url=https://armenpress.am/arm/news/861886 |
Ucom has also been active in the field of [[corporate social responsibility]], implementing a number of programs aimed at the development of children, particularly in the sphere of education. With the support of the company, computer engineering laboratories were opened in some Armenian schools, promoting the development of the ICT sector. The company also supports vulnerable groups in society by continuing to implement the "Let's Keep Children in Families" SMS charity project, which provides families with resources that allow parents to create a stable source of income and release their children from the care of state institutions.<ref>{{Cite news|title="Keep the children in the family" program, one more family has the opportunity to provide a stable income|url=https://armenpress.am/arm/news/861886}}</ref> The company also implements the "Bringing Sight to Armenian Eyes" program,<ref>{{Cite news|title="Bringing Sight to Armenian Eyes" program|url=https://www.ucom.am/hy/news-foundation/2017/12/13/%C2%AB%D5%AC%D5%B8%D6%82%D5%B5%D5%BD-%D5%B0%D5%A1%D5%B5%D5%AB-%D5%A1%D5%B9%D6%84%D5%A5%D6%80%D5%AB%D5%B6%C2%BB-%D5%AE%D6%80%D5%A1%D5%A3%D6%80%D5%AB-%D5%B7%D5%B6%D5%B8%D6%80%D5%B0%D5%AB%D5%BE-%D5%A1%D5%B5%D5%BD-%D5%BF%D5%A1%D6%80%D5%AB-%D5%B0%D5%A1%D5%B5%D5%A1%D5%BD%D5%BF%D5%A1%D5%B6%D5%AB-%D5%B4%D5%A1%D6%80%D5%A6%D5%A5%D6%80%D5%AB-%D5%B7%D5%B8%D6%82%D6%80%D5%BB-8-000-%D5%A2%D5%B6%D5%A1%D5%AF%D5%AB%D5%B9-%D5%A1%D5%AF%D5%B6%D5%A1%D5%A2%D5%B8%D6%82%D5%AA%D5%A1%D5%AF%D5%A1%D5%B6-%D5%A1%D5%B6%D5%BE%D5%B3/198}}</ref> within the framework of which quality [[ophthalmological]] services are provided to the regional residents of Armenia free of charge. |
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== Labour strike== |
== Labour strike== |
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On April 9, 2020, a publication with the title "BREAKING. Ucom management staff resign"<ref>{{Cite news|title="Explosion" in Ucom company.|url=https://past.am/?p=246843&l=am |
On April 9, 2020, a publication with the title "BREAKING. Ucom management staff resign"<ref>{{Cite news|title="Explosion" in Ucom company.|url=https://past.am/?p=246843&l=am}}</ref> appeared in the press and quickly spread throughout the Armenian network. According to the publication, the entire management of Ucom as well as the entire technical staff (around five dozen) had resigned. |
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=== Cause of controversy === |
=== Cause of controversy === |
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According to several media reports, the controversy was caused by a confrontation between Ucom's 3.17% shareholder and at the time Director General Hayk Yesayan and the rest of the Ucom shareholders, the complete and detailed list of which is publicly available since 2019 via [https://www.ucom.am/ |
According to several media reports, the controversy was caused by a confrontation between Ucom's 3.17% shareholder and at the time Director General Hayk Yesayan and the rest of the Ucom shareholders, the complete and detailed list of which is publicly available since 2019 via [https://www.ucom.am/file_manager/part/Ucom%20Prospectus%20-%20Lracum%2001.07.2019%20to%20send.pdf Ucom Prospectus]. |
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At the Board of Directors’ meeting held on April 14, 2020 the head of the executive organ was changed [https://www.ucom.am/en/news/2020/04/29/ucom-has-a-new-director-general-and-returns-to-normal-operations/358 1], and Ara Sergei Khachatryan was appointed Director General. He was registered as Director at “Ucom” CJSC in the Agency of the State Register of Legal Entities of the RA Ministry of Justice. |
At the Board of Directors’ meeting held on April 14, 2020, the head of the executive organ was changed [https://www.ucom.am/en/news/2020/04/29/ucom-has-a-new-director-general-and-returns-to-normal-operations/358 1], and Ara Sergei Khachatryan was appointed Director General. He was registered as Director at “Ucom” CJSC in the Agency of the State Register of Legal Entities of the RA Ministry of Justice. |
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No quantitative changes have taken place both in the shares and shareholders of “Ucom” CJSC. Around 500 employees including top and mid-level management of the “Ucom” CJSC submitted dismissal applications, but at the crisis management skills and efforts of the newly appointed Director General, most of staff returned to regular execution of their job responsibilities. |
No quantitative changes have taken place both in the shares and shareholders of “Ucom” CJSC. Around 500 employees including top and mid-level management of the “Ucom” CJSC submitted dismissal applications, but at the crisis management skills and efforts of the newly appointed Director General, most of staff returned to regular execution of their job responsibilities. |
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[[File:Ucom service center in Yerevan.JPG|thumb|A Ucom store in Yerevan]] |
[[File:Ucom service center in Yerevan.JPG|thumb|A Ucom store in Yerevan]] |
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Hayk and Alexander Yesayan announced that they have no intention to sell their share of the company and have intentions to purchase the other 94% of the company shares, for which they offered around |
Hayk and Alexander Yesayan announced that they have no intention to sell their share of the company and have intentions to purchase the other 94% of the company shares, for which they offered around US$17 million.<ref>{{Cite news|title=We will not sell our share, we intend to buy 94% of "Ucom". Hayk Yesayan|url=https://www.civilnet.am/news/2020/04/11/%D5%84%D5%A5%D6%80-%D5%A2%D5%A1%D5%AA%D5%B6%D5%A5%D5%B4%D5%A1%D5%BD%D5%A8-%D5%B9%D5%A5%D5%B6%D6%84-%D5%BE%D5%A1%D5%B3%D5%A1%D5%BC%D5%A5%D5%AC%D5%B8%D6%82-%D6%87-%D5%B6%D5%BA%D5%A1%D5%BF%D5%A1%D5%AF-%D5%B8%D6%82%D5%B6%D5%A5%D5%B6%D6%84-%D5%A3%D5%B6%D5%A5%D5%AC-%C2%AB%D5%85%D5%B8%D6%82%D6%84%D5%B8%D5%B4%D5%AB%C2%BB-94-%D5%BF%D5%B8%D5%AF%D5%B8%D5%BD%D5%A8-%D5%80%D5%A1%D5%B5%D5%AF-%D4%B5%D5%BD%D5%A1%D5%B5%D5%A1%D5%B6/381576}}</ref> The Board of Directors did not respond to the offer.<ref>{{Cite web|title=PanArmenia.Net|url=https://panarmenian.net/m/arm/news/280064}}</ref> |
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As of May 14, 2020, 1160 Ucom employees kept on ensuring |
As of May 14, 2020, 1160 Ucom employees kept on ensuring company's regular operations as far as in addition to their duties they have temporarily taken over the functions of the colleagues resigned. In total, 520 employees specialized in different areas have resigned as per their own application, the retention process for many of them was underway at the time. Business processes were optimized, the preference was given to the internal resources and employees were promoted internally while being entrusted the positions of the heads of various departments, senior specialists and coordinators.[https://www.ucom.am/en/news/2020/05/14/ucom-fills-vacancies-through-internal-promotion-and-the-recruitment-of-new-staff/364 2] |
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== Ucom Foundation == |
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The Ucom Foundation was established in 2016 as the main implementing body of Ucom's philanthropic and humanitarian programs. The mission of the foundation is to help vulnerable social groups in Armenia and improve people's lives by: creating sources of stable income, reuniting families, supporting the formation of a stable and secure society, educating a healthy and developed generation, and creating opportunities for further development. The Ucom Foundation supports the implementation of charitable programs in the fields of health, education and culture. |
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== Staff == |
== Staff == |
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=== Current === |
=== Current === |
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* [[ |
* [[Gurgen Khachatryan]] – chairman of the Board of Directors<ref>{{Cite news|title=Gurgen Khachatryan: "Ucom is not for sale, neither is our dignity"|url=https://itel.am/en/news/11843}}</ref> |
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* |
* [[Ralph Yirikian]] – Director General <ref>{{Cite news |title=Ralph Yirikian is the new CEO of Ucom |url=https://www.ucom.am/hy/news/2023/03/01/ucom-announces-ceo-transition-ara-khachatryan-to-step-down-ralph-yirikian-to-take-over/515 }}</ref> |
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* Arina Arustamyan - Commercial Director |
* Arina Arustamyan - Commercial Director |
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=== Previous === |
=== Previous === |
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* Hayk Yesayan – |
* Hayk Yesayan – Director General |
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* Alexandr Yesayan – Deputy |
* Alexandr Yesayan – Deputy Director General, Head of Development |
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* Aram Barseghyan – Commercial Director |
* Aram Barseghyan – Commercial Director |
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* Karen Shaboyan – Head of Sales |
* Karen Shaboyan – Head of Sales |
Latest revision as of 16:36, 25 April 2024
Industry | Telecommunications |
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Founded | 2009 |
Headquarters | Yerevan, Armenia |
Area served | Armenia |
Services | Fixed Line, Mobile Telephony, Cable television, and Broadband |
Owner | Ucom |
Website | www |
Ucom is a mobile network operator and internet service provider
History
[edit]Ucom was founded in 2009.[1] Ucom provides its Internet services through its own fiber-optic channel connecting Armenia with Georgia. This allows the company to provide transit internet to the Middle East.[2]
In 2013, the company received a license to provide public mobile internet services, and in 2015 acquired a 100% stake in Orange Armenia, thus entering the Armenian mobile market.[3] Following this, the company launched the 4G+ network in Armenia, which acted as a supplement to the company's combined services, providing customers with the complete "4 in 1" package of IPTV, fixed and mobile phone services, and internet service.
In 2017, during the Customer Advisory Board meeting that took place in San Francisco at the initiative of Calix, Ucom and Calix announced the introduction of NG-PON2 (New Generation Passive Optical Network) technology in Armenia, which would enable Ucom to upgrade the bandwidth speed from 1 gigabit/sec in its fixed network to 10 gigabits/sec. With the construction of the NG-PON2 network, it was possible to provide higher quality services, speed, security and new services.[citation needed]
In April 2017, Ucom and FORA-BANK Joint-Stock Commercial Bank (part of Tashir Group) signed a partnership agreement for projects including the full range of telecommunications services, covering the entire territory of Armenia as well as its most remote regions. The implementation of the investment program defined by the agreement allowed expanding 4Play offers and 4G+ network in the country. Future plans include expansion of operations, especially in Russia, which would allow Ucom to become a leading pan-Armenian telecommunications operator.[4]
Ucom has also been active in the field of corporate social responsibility, implementing a number of programs aimed at the development of children, particularly in the sphere of education. With the support of the company, computer engineering laboratories were opened in some Armenian schools, promoting the development of the ICT sector. The company also supports vulnerable groups in society by continuing to implement the "Let's Keep Children in Families" SMS charity project, which provides families with resources that allow parents to create a stable source of income and release their children from the care of state institutions.[5] The company also implements the "Bringing Sight to Armenian Eyes" program,[6] within the framework of which quality ophthalmological services are provided to the regional residents of Armenia free of charge.
Labour strike
[edit]On April 9, 2020, a publication with the title "BREAKING. Ucom management staff resign"[7] appeared in the press and quickly spread throughout the Armenian network. According to the publication, the entire management of Ucom as well as the entire technical staff (around five dozen) had resigned.
Cause of controversy
[edit]According to several media reports, the controversy was caused by a confrontation between Ucom's 3.17% shareholder and at the time Director General Hayk Yesayan and the rest of the Ucom shareholders, the complete and detailed list of which is publicly available since 2019 via Ucom Prospectus.
At the Board of Directors’ meeting held on April 14, 2020, the head of the executive organ was changed 1, and Ara Sergei Khachatryan was appointed Director General. He was registered as Director at “Ucom” CJSC in the Agency of the State Register of Legal Entities of the RA Ministry of Justice.
No quantitative changes have taken place both in the shares and shareholders of “Ucom” CJSC. Around 500 employees including top and mid-level management of the “Ucom” CJSC submitted dismissal applications, but at the crisis management skills and efforts of the newly appointed Director General, most of staff returned to regular execution of their job responsibilities.
Further developments
[edit]Hayk and Alexander Yesayan announced that they have no intention to sell their share of the company and have intentions to purchase the other 94% of the company shares, for which they offered around US$17 million.[8] The Board of Directors did not respond to the offer.[9]
As of May 14, 2020, 1160 Ucom employees kept on ensuring company's regular operations as far as in addition to their duties they have temporarily taken over the functions of the colleagues resigned. In total, 520 employees specialized in different areas have resigned as per their own application, the retention process for many of them was underway at the time. Business processes were optimized, the preference was given to the internal resources and employees were promoted internally while being entrusted the positions of the heads of various departments, senior specialists and coordinators.2
Staff
[edit]Current
[edit]- Gurgen Khachatryan – chairman of the Board of Directors[10]
- Ralph Yirikian – Director General [11]
- Arina Arustamyan - Commercial Director
Previous
[edit]- Hayk Yesayan – Director General
- Alexandr Yesayan – Deputy Director General, Head of Development
- Aram Barseghyan – Commercial Director
- Karen Shaboyan – Head of Sales
References
[edit]- ^ "Ucom".
- ^ "Internet Transmission Definition". Law Insider. Retrieved 2022-04-12.
- ^ "PSRC authorises UCOM's Orange Armenia buyout". www.commsupdate.com. Retrieved 2021-02-17.
- ^ "Ucom & Fora Bank/Tashir. The full range of telecommunications services throughout Armenia, including the most remote regions".
- ^ ""Keep the children in the family" program, one more family has the opportunity to provide a stable income".
- ^ ""Bringing Sight to Armenian Eyes" program".
- ^ ""Explosion" in Ucom company".
- ^ "We will not sell our share, we intend to buy 94% of "Ucom". Hayk Yesayan".
- ^ "PanArmenia.Net".
- ^ "Gurgen Khachatryan: "Ucom is not for sale, neither is our dignity"".
- ^ "Ralph Yirikian is the new CEO of Ucom".