Liberalization on the Telecommunications Market in Slovakia


Liberalization on the Telecommunications Market in Slovakia

Telecommunications Office of the Slovak Republic (TO SR) has so far received five announcements from alternative operators, stating that they have begun providing telephone service on the Slovak telecommunication market, where state-run Slovak Telecom (ST) had a monopoly position in fixed line voice service until the beginning of this year. Two operators made contracts to interconnect their telecommunication networks with the network of a mobile phone operator. However, TO SR does not registered any contracts on the interconnection of networks between the fixed line operator ST and an alternative operator.

Dial Telecom, a.s., eTel Slovensko, s.r.o., PosTel, a.s., GlobalTel Slovakia, s.r.o., and U.S. Steel Kosice, s.r.o. are the companies that have begun providing telephone services. Dial Telecom and eTel Slovensko signed contracts interconnecting public telecommunication networks with mobile network operator Orange Slovakia, a.s. "We are glad that, despite insufficient legislation, the process of liberalization is developing," said vice chairman of TO SR Juraj Michna.

However, the Telecommunications Office negatively perceives the fact that dominant fixed-line provider ST has thus far not concluded any contract on interconnection with an alternative operator. Until it does so, customers of alternative operators cannot make calls into the network of Slovak Telecom. Moreover, TU considers parts of the ST offer to be out of line with the law, or discriminatory. On the other hand, ST objected that TU does not have the powers to enter into current contract negotiations with alternative operators, said Mr. Michna. The currently unfavorable situation should have been changed by the revision of the law - a change that parliament eventually did not adopt.

TO SR has thus far issued license to 17 operators, two of which have regional validity.