Ucom

Ucom

Industry	Telecommunications
Founded	2009 (2009)
Headquarters	Yerevan, Armenia
Area served	Armenia
Services	Fixed Line, Mobile Telephony, Cable television, and Broadband
Owner	Ucom
Website	www.ucom.am

Thanks to its upgraded 4G+ and own fiber-optic (FO) networks corresponding to the best international standards, Ucom is providing a convergent package of fixed and mobile services to over 600K customers.

4G

Our historyOur historyOur missionOur missionOur visionOur visionOur valuesOur values 2015 In 2015, we acquired 100% share of Orange Armenia, thus also ensuring our presence on the Armenian mobile services market.

2016 In 2016, we implemented the fastest 4G+ network corresponding to the best international standards throughout the entire territory of Armenia, as well as replenished our convergent services, by introducing our new “4Play” package, combining IPTV, fixed and mobile voice and internet services.

2016-2017 In 2016-2017, we were actively engaged in CSR activities and contributed to ITT development, by bringing to life, in particular, a number of projects directed towards development of education and children. With the support of Ucom, computer and engineering laboratories were opened in the Armenian schools.

2017 In 2017, Speedtest by Ookla awarded us “The Fastest Mobile Internet in Armenia” prize.

2009 In 2009, we introduced “fiber to the home” (FTTH) solution to the Armenian consumer, which allows providing high-quality TV (IPTV), high-speed internet and digital voice services.

2010 In 2010, we gained stable position on the Armenian fixed broadband internet market, as well as became the largest wholesale operator in Armenia thanks to our own FO link connecting Armenia and Georgia.

2011 In 2011, we started to provide transit internet to the Near East, thus making Armenia an important telecom hub in the region.

2013 In 2013, we received a license for provision of public mobile internet services.

2009

In 2009, we introduced “fiber to the home” (FTTH) solution to the Armenian consumer, which allows providing high-quality TV (IPTV), high-speed internet and digital voice services.

2010

In 2010, we gained stable position on the Armenian fixed broadband internet market, as well as became the largest wholesale operator in Armenia thanks to our own FO link connecting Armenia and Georgia.

2011

In 2011, we started to provide transit internet to the Near East, thus making Armenia an important telecom hub in the region.

2013

In 2013, we received a license for provision of public mobile internet services.

2015

In 2015, we acquired 100% share of Orange Armenia, thus also ensuring our presence on the Armenian mobile services market.

2016

In 2016, we implemented the fastest 4G+ network corresponding to the best international standards throughout the entire territory of Armenia, as well as replenished our convergent services, by introducing our new “4Play” package, combining IPTV, fixed and mobile voice and internet services.

2016-2017

In 2016-2017, we were actively engaged in CSR activities and contributed to ITT development, by bringing to life, in particular, a number of projects directed towards development of education and children. With the support of Ucom, computer and engineering laboratories were opened in the Armenian schools.

2017

In 2017, Speedtest by Ookla awarded us “The Fastest Mobile Internet in Armenia” prize.

2015

In 2015, we acquired 100% share of Orange Armenia, thus also ensuring our presence on the Armenian mobile services market.

2016 In 2016, we implemented the fastest 4G+ network corresponding to the best international standards throughout the entire territory of Armenia, as well as replenished our convergent services, by introducing our new “4Play” package, combining IPTV, fixed and mobile voice and internet services.

2016-2017 In 2016-2017, we were actively engaged in CSR activities and contributed to ITT development, by bringing to life, in particular, a number of projects directed towards development of education and children. With the support of Ucom, computer and engineering laboratories were opened in the Armenian schools.

2017 In 2017, Speedtest by Ookla awarded us “The Fastest Mobile Internet in Armenia” prize.

2009 In 2009, we introduced “fiber to the home” (FTTH) solution to the Armenian consumer, which allows providing high-quality TV (IPTV), high-speed internet and digital voice services.

2010 In 2010, we gained stable position on the Armenian fixed broadband internet market, as well as became the largest wholesale operator in Armenia thanks to our own FO link connecting Armenia and Georgia.

2011 In 2011, we started to provide transit internet to the Near East, thus making Armenia an important telecom hub in the region.

2013 In 2013, we received a license for provision of public mobile internet services.

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Our strategy We will be more open and attentive to innovative solutions, developing outside of the company, and will apply corporate venture capital models for start-ups and entrepreneurs to create opportunities for mutually beneficial cooperation with us.

Our strategy Being a technology and innovation leader, we continually strengthen the main directions of our current activities, at the same time creating new income opportunities through developing innovative and differentiated digital solutions.:

Our strategy Acting in a highly competitive and fast-paced market, where traditional voice and SMS services experience sharp decline, we have revisited our business priorities and approaches.

Our strategy Already today, we launch and support such services, which aim to meet the new expectations of our most demanding customers.

Our strategy By giving importance to the active involvement of our customers in this matter, we closely cooperate with them, in order to find out the requirements of the next generation for products/services or consumer models.

Our strategy As part of our culture, we always contribute to the education of the future field specialists, as well as the start-ups introducing innovative ideas. We aim to create such a platform, where those specialists will have large opportunities to implement their innovative projects, by working and teaching in an environment of mutal cooperation.

Our strategy We will be more open and attentive to innovative solutions, developing outside of the company, and will apply corporate venture capital models for start-ups and entrepreneurs to create opportunities for mutually beneficial cooperation with us.

Our strategy Being a technology and innovation leader, we continually strengthen the main directions of our current activities, at the same time creating new income opportunities through developing innovative and differentiated digital solutions.:

History

Ucom was founded in 2009. The goal of the company was to provide customers with access to innovative technological solutions in its field. Ucom was the first telecommunications company in Armenia to introduce the "fiber-optics to the home" solution, which provides high-quality television (IPTV), high-speed Internet connection and digital telephone services. 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.

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. 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 through this state-of-the-art infrastructure. With the construction of the NG-PON2 network, it was possible to provide higher quality services, speed, security and new services.

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.

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. The company also implements the "Bringing Sight to Armenian Eyes" program, within the framework of which quality ophthalmological services are provided to the regional residents of Armenia free of charge.

Labour strike

On April 9, 2020, a publication with the title "BREAKING. Ucom management staff resign" 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

According to several media reports, the controversy was caused by a confrontation between Ucom shareholder and at the time CEO Hayk Yesayan and the other shareholders. The other shareholders were the two sons of Gagik Khachatryan (former chairman of the RA Ministry of Finance), Gurgen Khachatryan (the chairman of the Board of Directors of Ucom), Artyom Khachatryan and Samvel Karapetyan. Mikayel Minasyan, the son-in-law of the third President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan, was allegedly considered a shareholder too.

According to another report, the source of controversy was the disagreements between the senior staff and the majority shareholders who wanted to appoint Beeline CEO Andrey Pyatakhin at the helm of Ucom once the two companies merged. Beeline released an official statement claiming that Pyatakhin "[did] not intend to resign."

Regarding the contradictions, there is a variety of information from the press about Hayk Yesayan as respected and loved CEO. After Hayks and his brother resignation 550 Employees left the company with them.[1]

Further developments

A Ucom store in Yerevan

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 USD 44 million. The Board of Directors did not respond to the offer. The press reported that a new CEO was appointed, which was not officially confirmed at the time. SCPEC President Gegham Gevorgyan announced that the recent developments at Ucom had nothing to do with SCPEC's examinations.

On April 13, 2020, the founding shareholders issued a statement declaring that:

"Ucom is and will always be an Armenian operator and, obviously, it hasn't been sold, exchanged or 'extradited' to any country for any 'deal'. The company has never considered and is not going to consider letting go of any of its employees. As for the shareholders, it's worth mentioning that since the day of its foundation, large funds and social capital have been invested for the development of Ucom, continuing to believe in the vision of the U-team. By the way, the shareholders have never received a dividend in 12 years."

The statement also confirmed that Ucom has a new CEO, whose identity was not revealed at the time of the publication.

Ucom Foundation

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.

Staff

Current

• Gurgen Khachatryan – Chairman of the Board of Directors
• Ara Khachatryan – Chief Executive Officer
• Tigran Safaryan – Marketing and Communication Director

Previous

• Hayk Yesayan – Chief Executive Officer
• Alexandr Yesayan – Deputy CEO, Head of Development
• Aram Barseghyan – Commercial Director
• Karen Shaboyan – Head of Sales