Viva celebrated its 20th anniversary

PanARMENIAN.Net - On 1 July, Viva celebrated its 20th anniversary. In a festive atmosphere, the Company’s achievements over the past two decades were reflected on, and its strategic vision and ambitious plans for the future were presented. The event was attended by the Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan, members of the government, representatives of regulatory bodies, Company employees and partners.

Konstantin Sokolov, the shareholder of Viva, highlighted the Company’s transformation from a mobile communications leader to a technological and digital frontrunner in the rapidly evolving global telecommunications market. Sokolov outlined the main directions of development and business vision.

“Today, Viva celebrates its 20th anniversary—marking two decades since the first call was made on its network. At that time, Internet penetration in Armenia was just 6%. Since then, 2.3 million customers have joined the Company’s network, with 80% of them using mobile Internet. Viva has established itself as a key driver of the country’s digital transformation,” Sokolov noted.

Konstantin Sokolov emphasized that Viva not only develops technological infrastructure, but also actively invests in social initiatives, strengthening Armenia’s competitive advantages and developing various sectors of society. “Over the next three years, Viva plans to invest about 150 million USD in the development of 5G network and cloud infrastructure. Our mission remains unchanged: to create progress and new opportunities for every resident of Armenia,” said Mr. Sokolov.

"July 1, 2005, marked a revolutionary moment in the Armenian telecommunications market. It was the day not only new technologies and innovations entered Armenia, but, more importantly, the stereotype that mobile communication was only for a privileged few was broken. Viva proved that mobile communication can be more affordable, more accessible and of much higher qualitaty. I would like to thank Viva team for being able to make all this a reality. Analyzing the path that Viva has taken over these years, I can confidently say that Viva will continue to rely on new technological solutions and innovations in the future, making its services even more qualitative for its subscribers and thus strengthening the Armenian telecommunications sector," said Mkhitar Hayrapetyan, Minister of High-Tech Industry of the Republic of Armenia.

Tigran Gasparyan, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Viva, touched upon the strategic importance of telecommunications in the life of modern society. “Viva recognizes the vital role of telecommunications—not only as a technology but also as a foundation for security and comfort. We are deeply grateful to our subscribers for their trust and to our competitors for fostering worthy competition,” said Tigran Gasparyan. He also announced a large-scale investment program aimed at further diversification of Viva. “This year, the Company is launching an unprecedented investment program aimed at further diversification of the business, including the development of digital convergent solutions for fixed and mobile communications. Our goal is to ensure the high quality, accessibility and human-centric approach of all services provided by Viva. We have a responsibility for the digital future of the country and are confidently moving forward.”

Viva’s General Director Armen Avetisian presented the role of flexible management systems in sustainable progress. Mr. Avetisian also emphasized that over the years, Viva’s sustainable development has created growth opportunities for many organizations in the public and private sectors.

“Viva is a model for implementing effective systems for corporate governance and business projects. Behind every success are people – old and new members of the Viva family, dedicated, ambitious, experienced and innovative,” said Avetisian. “Armenia keeps pace with global developments thanks to the continuous introduction of innovations in the country, and Viva plays a major role in this process. The application of innovations in the form of technologies or solutions has always been an integral part of Viva’s activities.”

Viva has made a significant contribution to the formation of a corporate governance culture in Armenia. The Company has introduced a new culture of productivity, corporate social responsibility, social investments and business ethics, serving as an example for many organizations. Avetisian expressed gratitude to the state regulatory authorities in the sector departments and bodies for a healthy competitive environment and constructive cooperation.

“We are grateful to our customers for walking this 20-year journey with us and for trusting us. We are grateful to our employees for their boundless dedication, putting their knowledge to work, and their loyalty to our mission,” Avetisian concluded.

During the event, employees who have worked at Viva for 20 years, making a significant contribution to the Company’s success, were also honored and awarded. In his closing remarks, Avetisian reaffirmed Viva’s mission to continue to lead with innovation, invest in human capital, and contribute to building a more competitive Armenia.

The celebrations ended with a grand concert featuring famous Armenian performers in Diana Abgar Park (“Seasons” Park). The evening’s key guest was world-renowned jazz pianist Tigran Hamasyan.