Croatia’s largest mobile operator T-Hrvatski Telekom (T-HT) is considering acquisitions in Southeast Europe as part of plans to expand in the region, according to CEO Davor Tomaskovic.
T-HT, controlled by Germany’s Deutsche Telekom, intends to make…
Croatia’s largest mobile operator T-Hrvatski Telekom (T-HT) is considering acquisitions in Southeast Europe as part of plans to expand in the region, according to CEO Davor Tomaskovic.
T-HT, controlled by Germany’s Deutsche Telekom, intends to make acquisitions and invest in infrastructure, such as its 4G network, to return to growth, Tomaskovic said in an interview with Croatia’s Jutarnji.
The company is also carrying out a major internal reorganisation to improve efficiency and flexibility.
The CEO said the company is considering possibilities for offering its products and services in regional markets.
He did not name specific acquisition targets and, when asked about the privatisation of Telekom Slovenije, said he could not comment on the ongoing process. However, he noted that the company is interested in all opportunities that arise in the region, regularly evaluates them and intends to enter negotiations when necessary. Non-binding bids for the Slovenian state’s 72.75% stake in the incumbent telco are due by June. Deutsche Telekom, which has a 51% stake in T-HT, is said to be among those interested in the asset.
Tomaskovic said the economic climate and regulatory changes were largely to blame for T-HT’s decreased revenues for Q1 2014. Revenues for the period were down 6.2% to Hrk1.6bn US$286.8m) from the same period a year ago, while the EBITDA margin remained at 39.2%.
Croatia’s finance minister Slavko Linic announced planned increases in spectrum fees for telcos in April.
