New mobile operator in Serbia in spring 2006

PTT "Srbija" and "Mobilkom Austrija" should form the new company by the end of this month and the entire equipment of former “Mobtel” should be moved to that company. The new company with the license for 063 network will be offered for sale on the international tender. However, it is still unknown who will be in charge of the announcement and carrying out of the tender procedure.

According to the telecommunications law, the issuing of licenses for works of mobile telephony is in the hands of the Republic Telecommunications Agency. But, on the other hand, the authorized for the sale of State-owned property on the tender (share of PTT in new company) are the Privatization Agency and the Administration for Public Procurements.

Professor Jovan Radunović, Head of the Administrative Board of the Telecommunications Agency, expects that the decision about criteria for announcement and realization of the tender for the second mobile operator will be made at the meetings with the representatives of the Government of Serbia.

Since the plan is that both license and State-owned property be offered for sale on tender, the procedure will have to be combines, says Radunović. Legislature of Serbia allows possibility of combining of authorizations and everything will depend on the agreement in the Government. Technically, everything can be done. According to the Telecommunications Law, our agency is the only authorized agency for issuing of license for mobile operator.