Serbia’s telecoms regulator Ratel is expected to issue a ruling on an access dispute between Norway’s Telenor and incumbent operator Telekom Serbia, according to local reports.
Citing remarks by local telecoms and information minister Jasna Matic, the…
Serbia’s telecoms regulator Ratel is expected to issue a ruling on an access dispute between Norway’s Telenor and incumbent operator Telekom Serbia, according to local reports.
Citing remarks by local telecoms and information minister Jasna Matic, the report said that once the decision is made, it will be clear what Telenor must pay to access the fixed-line network of Telekom Serbia, with a new law drafted within the month.
Earlier this year, Telenor won a licence to provide the country’s second fixed-line network. Under the terms of the licence, which cost E1.05m, Telenor was given one year to provide fixed-line and broadband ADSL services.
As a back-up plan, Telenor Serbia is also reportedly in talks with local cable TV leader Serbia Broadband (SBB) about leasing its network to use as a platform for fixed-line services.
Late last month, Telenor cut 120 jobs at its local subsidiary, citing the introduction of a 10% mobile phone tax in the country. Telenor Serbia CEO Kjell-Morten Johnsen said that the new tax, combined with the general economic downturn, had taken off some E220m of his group’s valuation.
Telenor already offers mobile services in the country, where it is the number two provider with around 2.8 million customers, or 34.8% of the market.