Slovenia Gets Two New UMTS Operators
Mobile operator Simobil and telecommunications company T-2 have been awarded licences for the Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS), a third-generation mobile communications system, the telecommunications watchdog revealed on Wednesday.
The two companies will join Slovenia's largest mobile operator Mobitel, who also bid for the license, but was rejected as its bid was not in line with the conditions of the public call for tenders, said the Agency for Post and Electronic Communication (APEK).
"It makes sense that Mobitel's bid was rejected...If an operator who already has a UMTS license gains further frequencies, there will be no competition," said APEK director Tomaz Simonic.
APEK added that they will ensure equal operating conditions for all UMTS-licensed operators, while the entry of two new concessionaires will guarantee competition.
This means that Mobitel "will enjoy the same conditions regarding the speed of the construction of its network and its coverage as the two new operators," Simonic added.
"The entry of new operators on the UMTS market guarantees that strong competition in the field will develop shortly in Slovenia, resulting in new quality services for end users," APEK wrote on its website.
Simobil, Slovenia's second-largest mobile operator, made the highest bid for the UMTS license worth SIT 1.55bn (EUR 6.5m), while T-2 and Mobitel, each offered the minimum SIT 1.5bn (EUR 6.3m).
While Simobil only said that they had received APEK's decision, T-2 expressed its pleasure over the awarded license, saying that they will begin constructing the network after a contract on performing services is signed.
Mobitel was awarded the UMTS license in December 2001, paying SIT 22bn (EUR 91.46m). It was then the only operator to apply.
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