Another Operator Receives Fixed Line Voice Service License

Voipac, s.r.o., took over a license for providing fixed line voice services at the Telecommunications Office (TU). The license has not become effective yet.

The number of licenses issued for providing this service has increased to thirteen. Steel maker U.S. Steel Kosice, s.r.o. (USSK), holds a local license. The office registers license applications from GlobalTel Slovakia, s.r.o., and BENTEL, s.r.o.

License holders have to pay a single fee of SKK 100,000 for the license. They will have to pay annually SKK 200,000 plus 0.08 percent of annual turnover from telecom activities performed based on the issued license. The license is issued for twenty years. Sixty days before the license terminates a holder can turn to the Telecommunications Office for its prolonging.

License holders will become competitors of the former fixed-line monopoly Slovak Telecom. Officially, the monopoly of Slovak Telecom lapsed at the end of 2002.

January 23