VivaCell-MTS supports the fifth international NASA Space Apps Challenge

The fifth international Space Apps Challenge of the NASA - the National Aeronautics and Space 
Administration of the USA - took place in Byurakan Observatory, the 
press office of VivaCell-MTS has told ArmInfo. Different teams took 
part in the challenge held from April 22 to April 24, 2016. The 
participants developed applications on the Space Apps Challenge 
themes: "Technology", "Aeronautics", "Space station", "Solar system 
and beyond", "Earth", "Journey to Mars".

Individual and team participants presented their ideas on the NASA 
Space Apps Challenge themes. In general, the challenge gives the 
participants an opportunity to meet important objectives: develop a 
solution that can be put to use in practice, use databases of NASA 
and other important organizations in the process of product 
development, become known by competing in an open innovative 
platform, etc.

The NASA Space Apps Challenge-Armenia took place in the Byurakan 
Observatory and lasted for 24 hours. The leading telecommunications 
operator in Armenia VivaCell-MTS provided the participants of the 
Challenge with high-speed Internet access. For two days, on April 22 
and 23, the teams pitched their innovative solutions and ideas in 
front of the panel, consisting of local and international 
specialists. The products submitted to the contest were based on the 
solutions, innovations and ideas of beginner, student, expert 
engineers, coding programmers, designers, and analysts.  The 
presentation of works was done with the help of data virtualization, 
devices and special equipment, coding, design and other means.

The organizer of the Armenian stage of the international challenge is 
"X-Tech" Company.

Appreciating the role Armenia played in the development of astronomy, 
VivaCell-MTS has supported the Byurakan Observatory in the past 
years. In 2007, the Company made contributions for upgrading and 
renovating Byurakan Observatory telescope management system. 
State-of-the-art equipment was obtained for the work of the 2.6 
meters long telescope of the Byurakan Observatory; 1-meter long 
Schmidt telescope was also renovated. The leading telecommunications 
operator in Armenia continues investing in the development of various 
spheres in Armenia.

VivaCell-MTS (K-Telecom CJSC) is Armenia's leading telecommunications 
operator, having the widest 2G/3.75G/4G 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). 

Mobile TeleSystems OJSC ("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. 
The Group has been awarded GSM licenses in Russia, Ukraine, 
Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Armenia and Belarus, a region that boasts a 
total population of more than 200 million. Since June 2000, MTS' 
Level 3 ADRs have been listed on the New York Stock Exchange (ticker 
symbol MBT).