Avirtel provider left without Absheron subscribers

Baku / 12.11.19 / Turan: On November 12, the Sumgait Territorial Economic Court continued to consider the claim of the Azerbaijani provider Avirtel against Absheron telecommunications hub owned by Aztelecom LLC. The provider accuses Aztelekom of “stealing subscribers”, that is, forcibly, without the permission of citizens, transferring their Internet traffic to their services.

Gazanfar Pashayev, Avirtel’s lawyer, told Turan that out of 2500 subscribers of his company in the territory of Absheron, the defendant transferred the last 750 subscribers to his office this month.

At today’s hearing the company requested a court ruling to terminate Aztelecom’s illegal actions before a final court resolution was adopted so that Avirtel could continue to operate on Absheron. The judge rejected the company's interim claim and sent the appeal to the Court of Appeal. Examination of the first Avirtel lawsuit continues.

In an interview with Turan, the lawyer noted that since 2016, Aztelekom has been taking targeted actions to oust private competitors from the provider services market. In 2016, Aztelekom increased the cost of providing Internet traffic, rental communications and the cost of electricity for Avirtel from 5.90 manat to 210 manat per month. Avirtel does not agree with this price and requires justification of the reason for such a rise in price of services. The lawyer also said that Aztelekom uses other means to lure Avirtel subscribers.

Turan turned to the manager of the public relations department of Aztelekom LLC Ainur Hasanova, who sent a written response to her company a day later. Aztelekom LLC informs that on January 1, 2013, it entered into a contract with Avirtel for the use of the territory and energy for a period of one year. 15 days before the end of the contract if there is no desire of one of the parties to terminate it, the contract is extended for another year.

In 2016, LLC changed tariffs; it became necessary to conclude a new contract, which was informed by all providers, also Avirtel. While other providers entered into a new agreement, Avirtel refused to sign the new agreement, while deliberately refusing to fulfill the deductions coming from the 2013 document.

 On November 30, 2018 and December 6, 2018, Aztelekom notified Avirtel that the previous contract (dated 2013) would not be extended. Transfer of a part of subscribers to Aztelekom's business there is considered their voluntary choice. Subscribers also have the opportunity to purchase the services of other providers,”Aztelekom LLC said in an official response. —0—