28th Feb 2007 11:30
Telefonica O2 Czech Republic, A.S.28 February 2007 Press release Bratislava, 28 February 2007 Telefonica O2 Slovakia launches first part of its GSM network Telefonica O2 Slovakia put in operation first base stations of its GSM networkon Wednesday. The company met its internal plans as well as the conditionsrequired in this respect under the awarded licence ahead of schedule. Buildingup its own high-quality network is a part of the company's long-term strategicplan. "After we put in operation the core network in a record-breaking short timeearly in February, the launch of the first GSM network base stations representsanother crucial milestone for us. The construction works on our own accessnetwork proceed as scheduled which will enable us to gradually switch from thenational roaming to the provision of services through our own infrastructure,"says Martin Skop, Chief Network Officer of Telefonica O2 Slovakia. Telefonica O2 Slovakia began commercial operation symbolically on 02.02. 2006.The company is so far providing its services through national roaming, i.e. theyare fully available from the very beginning throughout the whole of Slovakia.One of the company's key priorities is to build up its own network whose firstparts are in operation as of this day. The access network using the Ultra HighSite concept is expected to be completed in two years' time, the constructionworks are performed by Slovak companies. The national roaming agreement means that in the areas outside of its ownnetwork coverage Telefonica O2 Slovakia provides its services partly throughother operator's network. Contact for additional information: HANA HEJSKOVATelefonica O2 Slovakia [email protected].: +421 949 220 022tel.: +420 271 464 071Mobil: +420 602 171 651 JURAJ PUCHYAMI Communications [email protected]: +421 2 4341 5709Mobil: +421 918 604 538 About the company Telefonica O2 Slovakia, s.r.o. Telefonica O2 Slovakia entered the Slovak mobile operators' market as a resultof the decision of the selection committee of the Telecommunication Office ofthe Slovak Republic from the date 25.8.2006. The licence includes the right touse the frequencies GSM 900 MHz, GSM 1800 MHz, UMTS and 28/29 GHz for a periodof 20 years for the purposes of providing telecommunication services in theSlovak Republic. As part of the international group Telefonica, Telefonica O2 Slovakia belongs tothe group Telefonica O2 Europe. The firm will use the brand O2 for all of itsmarketing activities in the Slovak Republic. About Telefonica O2 Europe Telefonica O2 Europe comprises mobile network operators in the UK and Ireland,along with integrated fixed/mobile businesses in Germany and the Czech Republic- all of which use 'O2' as their consumer brand. The company recently won amobile licence in Slovakia, where it plans to launch service in 2007. TelefonicaO2 Europe also owns 50% of the Tesco Mobile and Tchibo Mobilfunk joint venturebusinesses in the UK and Germany respectively as well as having 100% ownershipof Be, a leading UK fixed broadband provider. In addition, the group includesthe Isle of Man fixed/mobile operator, Manx Telecom, and O2 Airwave, whichsupplies secure digital communications to the emergency services and otherpublic safety organisations. Telefonica O2 Europe, part of the Telefonica group, is headquartered in Slough,UK, and has more than 37 million mobile and fixed customers. About Telefonica Telefonica is one of the largest telecommunications companies in the world interms of market capitalisation. Its activities are centred mainly on fixed andmobile telephony, with broadband as the key tool for the development of both. The company has a significant presence in 23 countries and a customer base of196 million worldwide. Telefonica is a 100% listed company, with in excess of 1.5 million directshareholders. Its share capital currently comprises 4,921,130,397 ordinaryshares traded on the Spanish Stock Market (Madrid, Barcelona, Bilbao andValencia) and on those in London, Paris, Frankfurt, Tokyo, New York, Lima,Buenos Aires and Sao Paulo. This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock ExchangeRelated Shares:
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