The owner of Macedonian alternative fixed and mobile telecoms operator ONE has insisted the group is not for sale, after reports suggested it could be a target for Turkish operator Turkcell.
“No, we are not selling ONE, although we are obviously…
The owner of Macedonian alternative fixed and mobile telecoms operator ONE has insisted the group is not for sale, after reports suggested it could be a target for Turkish operator Turkcell.
“No, we are not selling ONE, although we are obviously pleased with the fact that there is great interest in buying the company,” said Ivica Kranj?evi?, president of mobile operator Telekom Slovenia, which controls ONE as a wholly-owned subsidiary.
Kranj?evi? continued: “I also consider that the competition would probably prefer to see ONE off the market, at least in the form in which it is present now, because it would be easier for them. Unfortunately, none of this will happen, we do not intent to make their lives easier. It will continue to be difficult, and the reason why we have a new team arriving, is precisely because we want to continue the story here, and take it towards success.”
However, a spokesman for Turkcell told TelecomFinance that, although it always evaluates potential investment opportunities in the region, there is “no board decision, particularly in regards to the acquisition of ONE in Macedonia”.
The ONE denial comes only days after Ciril Kafol, previously a member of Telekom Slovenia’s supervisory board, was appointed CEO of ONE on 1 September.
“ONE is a strong entity on the Macedonian dynamic telecommunication market, but still with a lot of potential,” said Kafol in a statement last week.
“I’m aware that this company has faced many changes and challenges, hard periods. Looking ahead, I still see hard work but also a big opportunity for success, growth in all segments and further market expansion.”
Kafol replaced Kalvdij Godnic, who will remain in the Telekom Slovenia group.
