Tsovak community provided with outdoor lighting

ArmInfo.For more than 25 years since the collapse of the USSR, Tsovak community in Gegharkunik region had had no outdoor lighting system. Over time, all the infrastructures had worn out.

The main streets of the village were lighted up two years ago due to the cooperation of the organizations that made the community development their project priority. In 2017, due to cooperation of the Foundation for the Preservation of Wildlife and Cultural Assets (FPWC) and VivaCell-MTS, 50 LED lights were installed, and additional 43 LED lights were installed this summer. Due to the installed energy-efficient outdoor lighting, a 3300m long street was lighted up, from which 1800m was implemented  in 2017 and  the 1500m - during the past year.

VivaCell-MTS General Manager Ralph Yirikian, FPWC Director Ruben Khachatryan, head of Tsovak community Garik Hakobyan and community members attended the launching ceremony of the second part of the energy-efficient system. 

“This program has two major purposes - to facilitate community development and to ease their burden. Construction of new infrastructures is implemented with that in mind. I am happy to state that the program has been a success in this village: streets have lights, yet the funds spent on illumination are not a burden on the villagers. There is one less visible result and that is the shortened gap between the capital and the rural communities. It is a crucial point especially in a rapidly developing world we live in,” said VivaCell-MTS General Manager Ralph Yirikian.

Unlike regular bulbs, LED lamps are more energy efficient, durable and can be serve for a much longer period consuming 80% less electricity. Due to the installation of energy-saving system, rural communities considerably reduce their financial burden. The saved amounts are directed at improving the community life. The efficiency of the system has been noticed since the first phase of the project. The savings from 2017 helped to partially solve other problems of the community: the community afforded building more than 1km-long drinking water pipeline.

The streets of the village will be illuminated from 21:00 to 00:00 during summertime and from 18:00 to 23:00 in winter. On holidays, street lighting will be provided all night long.

About Tsovak Village

Since 1827-1828, repatriates from Mush of Western Armenia have lived in Tsovak community. Since 1920s, Tsovak was famous for its port that had a pathway to Sevan to transport oil products and peats.

Tsovak has been famous for its ports where oil and peat production have been transported since 1920.  There is some evidence of the old village ruins and people inhabiting the area in the western part of today's village.

The main occupation of the 3500 villagers is small and large cattle farming, bird farming, potato and grain crops, vegetable, and fodder cultivation. 

VivaCell-MTS (MTS Armenia CJSC) is Armenia’s leading telecommunications operator, having the widest network reach and spreading a wide range of Voice and Data services all across Armenia. Having the best of the Armenian people interest at heart since its launch on 1st July 2005 and in a short period of time VivaCell-MTS has managed to build a nationwide network and a considerable customer base. VivaCell-MTS drives innovation and aims at always being at the forefront of any development serving the Armenian mobile communications market.  The company follows the guidance provided by ISO 26000 (International Standard of Social Responsibility) and ISO/IEC 27001:2013 (Information Security Management System). For more information, visit www.mts.am

Mobile TeleSystems PJSC ("MTS") is the leading telecommunications group in Russia and the CIS, offering mobile and fixed voice, broadband, pay TV as well as content and entertainment services in one of the world's fastest growing regions. Including its subsidiaries, the Group services over 100 million mobile subscribers in Russia, Ukraine, Turkmenistan, Armenia and Belarus. Since June 2000, MTS' Level 3 ADRs have been listed on the New York Stock Exchange (ticker symbol MBT). Additional information about the MTS Group can be found atwww.mtsgsm.com