Central and Eastern Europe

Operators

Cyfrowy Polsat mulls infra sale as EC probes its 2013 licence issue

The European Commission has launched an investigation into the Polish government’s allocation of an 800MHz spectrum holding to the operator Sferia in 2013.

Partner Spotlight

When we say digital transformation we imagine new revenue streams

Telenor Serbia and Montenegro CTO Sasa Lekovic hailed recent digital transformation efforts for preparing the operators for future revenue streams, predicting new ICT infrastructure and data leverage will become vital in this as technology evolves.

Operators

Czech operators issue legal challenge over 5G auction plan

The Czech units of Vodafone and T-Mobile have filed legal complaints against the country’s regulator over its planned 5G spectrum auction.

Wireless Networks

HT signs extended managed services contract with Ericsson

Croatia’s Hrvatski Telekom (HT) has extended its agreement with Ericsson’s Nikola Tesla unit for the delivery of managed services up to end-2023.

Operators

Telekom Srbija pushing for €200m corporate bond issue

Serbian state-owned operator Telekom Srbija is looking to finance its debt with a corporate bond sale that it expects to raise around €200 milllion ($236.52 million).

Operators

A1 Belarus continues spending spree as Telia winds down Lithuanian 3G

A1 Belarus has purchased the assets of Multiservice Network LLC, a Soligorsk-based broadband and TV provider.

Regulation

Czech operators hit out at 5G tender criteria

Operators in the Czech Republic have criticised the regulator’s 5G launch proposals, which are aimed at increasing competition in the market.

Wireless Networks

Lifecell joins Ukraine 4G deal while Intertelecom cuts service

Ukrainian number three Lifecell has confirmed that it will join the 4G infrastructure sharing arrangement signed in July by its larger rivals Kyivstar and Vodafone Ukraine.

Regulation

Slovenian regulator outlines terms for 5G spectrum winners

The Slovenian telecommunications regulator has listed its requirements for winning bidders in the country’s delayed auction of 5G spectrum.

Optical & Fixed Networks

Ukrtelecom outlines funding plan for rural connectivity

Ukraine’s Ukrtelecom is planning deploy ultrafast broadband reaching 2.6 million people living in rural areas.

Regulation

Poland eyes early 2021 for 3.6GHz auction

Poland’s government is looking to hold its delayed 5G spectrum auctions in early 2021.

Regulation

Estonia’s proposed Huawei restrictions earn Elisa’s ire

The Estonian government has drafted a proposal that would ascribe security credentials to equipment vendors looking to supply 5G technologies.

Operators

MTS receives Russia’s first 5G licence

Russian operator MTS has become the country’s first recipient of a 5G licence, enabling it to deliver services in the 24.25–24.65 GHz mmWave band under the 5G/IMT-2020 standard.

Wireless Networks

Telekom Slovenije debuts 5G in Slovenia

Telekom Slovenije is now delivering Slovenia’s first commercial 5G services via its 2600MHz spectrum.

Data Centres & Networks

MTS Belarus boosts data growth with 4G upgrade

MTS Belarus has nearly doubled data usage on its network after a substantial infrastructure deployment in the first half of this year.

Operators

Kyivstar and Vodafone to share infrastructure in Ukraine

Kyivstar and Vodafone Ukraine have formed an active and passive infrastructure sharing agreement to boost 4G coverage in rural Ukraine.

Operators

Telekom Srbija faces rival bids for IPKO in Kosovo

Telekom Srbija reportedly has at least seven competitors in its bid to acquire Kosovar service provider IPKO.

Wireless Networks

Vodafone Hungary lays out 5G expansion roadmap

Vodafone Hungary has set out its 5G coverage goals up to the end of 2020.

Operators

Telekom Srbija bids on Kosovo’s IPKO

Telekom Srbija has submitted a €155 million bid to acquire Kosovar ISP and mobile operator IPKO.

Regulation

Montenegro regulator tells Crnogorski Telekom to cut call prices

Montenegrin operator Crnogorski Telekom (CT) has been ordered to lower its calling rates from 1st July.

Wireless Networks

Hrvatski Telekom signs 5G RAN deal with Ericsson for Croatia

Croatia’s Hrvatski Telekom (HT) has awarded a five-year 5G RAN contract to Ericsson.

Wireless Networks

Ukrainian operators begin joint LTE-900 expansions

Ukraine’s three largest mobile operators have commenced “joint actions” to expand their 4G-LTE networks using redistributed 900MHz frequencies.

Regulation

Estonian operators decry 5G licensing plan

Estonian mobile operators have called for the country’s Minister of Foreign Trade and IT to revise its licensing strategy for spectrum in the 3.4GHz - 3.8GHz range.

Wireless Networks

O2 to launch Czech Republic’s first commercial 5G network

O2 Czech Republic is launching its commercial 5G network next month, becoming the first operator in the market to achieve this milestone.

Regulation

Romanian authorities open competition consultations

Romanian regulator ANCOM (National Authority for Management and Regulation in Communications) has begun a public consultation after its own review identified no issues requiring new regulation for the wholesale fixed market.

Wireless Networks

Orange pursuing 5G frequencies and FTTH partnership in Slovakia

Orange’s Slovakian unit is increasing its 5G spectrum holding while also discussing a potential network-sharing arrangement with Slovak Telecom.

Wireless Networks

Telia Eesti outlines 2020 investment plans

Estonia’s Telia Eesti is planning an investment of €10 million (US$11.3 million) into its mobile networks for 2020.

Operators

Orange lining up July launch for 5G in Poland

Orange Polska plans to introduce 5G mobile services on 1st July.

Regulation

Estonia offers fourth 5G licence to revive auction

Estonia is planning to revive its cancelled 5G spectrum auctions by making a fourth licence available.

Regulation

Slovenia to hold consultation on spectrum auctions

Slovenia’s regulator has confirmed that it will open a consultation on the country’s delayed auction of new spectrum frequencies.

Wireless Networks

A1 and ZTE launch first 5G SA test network in Belarus

Belarusian market leader A1 together with ZTE has launched a standalone (SA) test 5G network across the country.

Regulation

SBB embroiled in rent dispute with EPS in Serbia

Serbian cable firm Serbia Broadband (SBB) has slammed the country’s regulator for neglecting its duties after the utility firm EPS (Elektroprivreda Serbia) significantly increased rental rates for space on its pylons.

Wireless Networks

Poland remains confident of 5G auctions and launches in 2020

Poland is still optimistic that 5G spectrum will be sold at auction this year even though it has delayed the sale of 3.4GHz-3.8GHz licences.

Wireless Networks

Plus boasts first 5G launch in Poland

Polkomtel, a leading telecommunications operator in Poland, which provides services under the Plus brand, has announced the launch of the country’s first commercial 5G network.

Wireless Networks

Montenegro eyeing 5G rollout in 2022

Montenegro is likely to see 5G launches by the end of 2022, with the regulator looking to outline a roadmap this year.

Optical & Fixed Networks

Hungary’s SZIP2 aims for even faster internet

While many development plans are at a standstill around the world, some telecommunications initiatives are still being unveiled. Hungary, for example, has invited proposals for the funding of its latest superfast internet rollout initiative.

Regulation

Slovakia 5G spectrum sale to go ahead despite health crisis

The Slovakian regulator – the Office for Regulation of Electronic Communications and Postal Services (also known as Regulacny Urad or RU) – has announced that it will be going ahead with an auction of 5G-capable spectrum.

Operators

Optima defers stake sale into 2021

Croatia’s Optima Telekom is delaying a stake sale originally scheduled for this year, even if it is able to find a buyer.

Operators

United Group’s acquisition of Vivacom gets green light

United Group has been cleared by the European Commission to acquire Bulgarian operator Vivacom.

Regulation

Intertelecom’s licences restored after court order

Kiev’s District Administrative Court has suspended the decision to cancel the licence of CDMA operator Intertelecom.

Regulation

Slovakia inviting bidders for sub-1GHz 5G frequencies

Slovakia’s regulatory office has opened applications for its upcoming auction of 5G-ready spectrum, including frequencies in the 700MHz, 900MHz and 1800MHz bands.

Regulation

Intertelecom takes legal action against 4G licence cancellation

Ukraine’s Intertelecom has issued a legal challenge against the cancellation of its 4G spectrum licence by the country’s regulator.

Operators

UPC Romania becomes Vodafone Romania

UPC Romania is no longer the name of one of Romania’s leading cable companies.

Operators

Kyivstar LTE-900 upgrade to start in April

Ukraine’s market leader Kyivstar will begin rolling out LTE-900 upgrades from April, after being issued a licence for the technology earlier this month.

Wireless Networks

MTS taps Ericsson for network modernisation ahead of 5G

MTS is continuing its cooperation with Ericsson as it looks to modernise its network infrastructure in preparation for the advent of 5G.

Regulation

Romania clears licence renewal fees for 2100MHz

With their 3G licences set to expire on 31st March, the government of Romania has made a last minute decision to allow the local units of Orange and Vodafone to extend them.

Operators

TriMob divesting deactivated Ukrainian network gear

Having deactivated all of the network equipment that it operated outside of Kiev, Ukrtelecom’s mobile unit TriMob is now auctioning its disused infrastructure.