Ipko Net Llc, the second mobile operator in Kosovo and Ericsson Nikola Tesla, the leading Croatian ICT company are setting up a new GSM network that will cover the whole territory of Kosovo. It is a green field investment project following the concession agreement signed in March this year between the Kosovo Telecommunications Agency and the consortium comprised of Telekom Slovenija, Mobitel and Ipko Net. The frame agreement valued at 37 million euros covers the supply, implementation and operation of the GSM communications and transmission system as well as related services.

 

The agreement was signed by Dušan Mitič, president of Ipko Net’s Board and deputy president of Telekom Slovenija’s Board and Gordana Kovačević, president of Ericsson Nikola Tesla.

 

„Signing of the contract with Ericsson Nikola Tesla completes the period of thorough project preparation within the area of wireless communications and now we are starting concrete network buildup. I am convinced that the first subscribers will be included in our network by the end of this year, which is several months before the deadline defined by the concession agreement. We have very good experiences in the cooperation with Ericsson within wireless communications in the Slovenian market and we wish to offer equally high quality of service in the Kosovo market as well”, comments Dušan Mitič.

 

“We are glad to have the opportunity to open a partnership with a very ambitious new operator. We see Ipko Net as a very serious market player that will speed up the introduction of new, mobile cutting edge services to satisfy the communications needs of business and private end users in Kosovo. We will readily support its plans and aspirations to drive the Kosovo’s economic growth. I am positive that the top quality and reliable Ericsson’s technology will serve the citizens of Kosovo well and that it will contribute to the growth of their standard of living,” comments Gordana Kovačević.

 

The buildup of the infrastructure will start immediately and the launch of the first services is planned before the end of this year. The priority will be the coverage of the large cities but the plan foresees the coverage of the whole Kosovo territory within the next three years. The mobile penetration in Kosovo is about 35% which makes it a market with high potential of development. By this step Ipko Net introduces competition in the Kosovo mobile telecommunications market that will be beneficial for end users and Ericsson Nikola Tesla steps into an emerging market and establishes cooperation with a new customer that has a significant potential of further business growth.

 

Company Communication of Ericsson Nikola Tesla