Ucom has now established itself as the leading OTT player in Armenia.
Speaking exclusively to Broadband TV News, Manush Melkyumyan, the company’s head of content and media department, said that it was formed in 2008 as a WiMax ISP and two years later became the first in Armenia to launch FTTH services.
It subsequently introduced triple play and in 2016 acquired Orange’s Armenia operation, which already provided quad-play services. Now, it is the leading quad play company in the country.
Interestingly, it also sells broadband to Iran, Iraq and other countries, in the case of Iran providing 60% of its needs.
Melkyumyan added that Ucom introduced IPTV, including services such as VOD and catch-up, in 2010. It launched an OTT multiscreen service in 2016 and is now preparing to launch an OTT via STB service.
While there are other, smaller companies also moving into the OTT space, it is now the leading player.
She also said that Ucom currently has 20,000 fixed-line pay-TV subscribers and a combined total of 100,000 receiving at least one of its fixed-line services.
Melkyumyan in addition said that Ucom is a 100% Armenian-owned company, while its two main telco competitors Beeline (Veon) and MTS are at least partly foreign owned.
Armenia’s population is around 2.5 million and only 10% use cable services. At the same time, 50% watch FTA terrestrial or satellite channels.
