Ericsson Nikola Tesla announces the commercial launch of Ipko`s GSM network and a managed services contract with this Kosovo operator.

 

Following the June contract made between Ipko Llc, the second mobile operator in Kosovo and Ericsson Nikola Tesla, the leading Croatian ICT company, on setting up a new GSM network that will cover the whole territory of Kosovo the two companies announce the commercial launch of the network. It has been a green field investment project, worth 37 million euro, based on the concession agreement signed previously between the Kosovo Telecommunications Agency and the consortium comprised of Telekom Slovenija, Mobitel and Ipko.

 

As contracted, Ericsson Nikola Tesla has delivered and fully integrated in the record time the complete GSM network that will enable Ipko's fast and competitive positioning in the growing and demanding mobile telecom market of Kosovo.

 

Furthermore, the partnership between Ericsson Nikola Tesla and Ipko has been confirmed and expanded by a managed services contract under which Ericsson Nikola Tesla will operate Ipko’s GSM network. This contract was signed on the same day of the official launch of this operator’s GSM network, December 14, 2007 and it is valued at around 4 million euro. The contract is valid for the period of two and a half years over which Ericsson Nikola Tesla, in cooperation with Ipko’s technical staff, will take care of the operation and maintenance of the network.

 

Dušan Mitič, president of Ipko’s Board and deputy president of Telekom Slovenija’s Management Board comments: “This project is a result achieved by three partners, operating from three different countries, therefore carefully harmonized cooperation was essential for the final success. Together we built the most advanced GSM network in a record time. This is a strong platform which will provide our subscribers with high quality service and the best user experience.”

 

Gordana Kovačević, president of Ericsson Nikola Tesla shows high satisfaction with the continued partnership with Ipko: “The experts of Ericsson Nikola Tesla and Ipko have worked in joint effort over the past few months to enable today’s official start up of the second Kosovo’s mobile network. I strongly believe that the system, based on the latest Ericsson technology, will support Ipko’s ambition to serve its subscribers with the top quality. I am extremely satisfied with the fact that our partnership is continuing as today we have not only launched the Ipko’s GSM network, but also signed a managed service contract. It is another Ipko’s step towards the most advanced technology and the best in class service available today in the market. It is our pleasure to collaborate with a customer oriented towards the future proof communications possibilities.”

 

Company Communication of Ericsson Nikola Tesla