Slovak Telecommunication Office (TÚ) has neither submitted a document over the prepared electronic auction for public discussion, nor has it published the conditions of the competition over new licenses for a new fourth generation mobile network, which is ideal for high-speed internet, spokesperson for the institution Roman Vavro told the TASR newswire. His comments were made in response to an article published in the May 14 issue of the Sme daily, which reported that the TÚ allegedly wants to give the advantage to foreign companies hoping to lure a new operator.
According to the spokesperson, the speculations published in Sme might “threaten the willingness of existing operators to invest in Slovakia”.
“The aim of the TÚ is neither to force any of the existing operators out of the market, nor the discrimination of existing operators or preferring possible foreign bidders,” Vavro said, as quoted by TASR.
Therefore the TÚ required Sme to end this “very dangerous media game”, which might send confusing signals to existing as well as potential future investors.
Vavro added that the TÚ has already told the media that in cooperation with the consulting company Arthur D. Little GmbH, it is finalising the document related to the electronic auction, which will then be submitted for public discussion.
According to Sme, one of the three licenses for the new network will be intended for an operator that has yet to operate in the country. Thus, it will not be forced to compete with already established operators and will be able to obtain the license more cheaply.
Vavro responded that the possible entrance of the fourth mobile provider depends on investor sentiment. Several foreign as well as Slovak companies have already shown an interest in entering the mobile broadband market.
“All of these companies are carefully watching the development of the situation, but do not publish their interest for strategic reasons,” Vavro told TASR, adding the situation is the same for mobile providers active in Slovakia.
Source: TASR, Sme
Compiled by Radka Minarechová from press reports
The Slovak Spectator cannot vouch for the accuracy of the information presented in its Flash News postings.
