- Published: 20.09.2005.
Kalmeta on Tele 2 and the Supervisory Board of HŽ
The Minister for the Sea, Tourism, Transport and Development Božidar Kalmeta said that it was the task of the Agency for Telecommunications to make a decision after the inspection of the 3rd mobile phone operator – Tele 2. Kalmeta also discharged all accusations made by Tele 2, stating that the Agency was under his Ministry's influence.
Regarding the question whether Tele 2 was going to loose its concession, Kalmeta explained that the Ministry was keeping itself informed about situation, but that it was the Agency's responsibility to affirm whether Tele 2 was honoring the concession agreement.
Kalmeta added that it was the Agency's decision to either obligate Tele 2 to fulfill the conditions of the agreement, or to make the final step.
The inspectors of the Agency have stated that Tele 2 has not fulfilled its commitments within the defined period of six months; the commitments of the agreement were to start operating and to start offering their services to the customers. The Assembly meeting, where all the findings of the inspection will be analyzed, is planned for next week.
Tele 2 claims that they were honoring the concession agreement, completely. The general director of Tele2, Mats Tilly stated last week that the Agency was being put 'under pressure' by certain individuals of the Ministry.
Kalmeta declined such claims, stating that he was not informed about any pressure. He also said that it was not him who had asked the Agency to perform the inspection of Tele 2.
Kalmeta said: 'I want the 3rd operator to start working, as was defined in the agreement, with reducing prices for telecommunication services by 25% - due to the fact of another operator entering the domestic market'.
Kalmeta announced that the HŽ Supervisory Board meeting would be held next Monday, and that its discussion points would be related to recent accidents on Croatian railway trucks and the possible responsibility for these accidents. The meeting was set for the following week, because they were still expecting results provided by the official inquiry of the accidents.