Ukraine
The Ukrainian State Communications Committee designed the procedure for issuing third-generation licenses. “The committee has already designed the licensing terms,” Committee Chairman Oleg Shevchuk said. He did not elaborate and said the procedure was yet to be approved by the Economics Ministry. The number of wireless subscribers in the Ukraine currently exceeds 900,000, and the committee predicted a further growth to 1.5 million by the end of the year.
Nigeria
Nigeria has invited international operators to take a stake in Nitel, the country’s state-owned telecommunications company. Nitel won a mobile license earlier this year, along with three other wireless carriers, through the country’s auction of GSM licenses. The government is selling a 40-percent to 51-percent stake in Nitel, and 20 percent of the carrier will be sold to the Nigerian public.
Romania
Slovenia’s Mobitel announced it will use a new Microsoft system for charging services. The initiative came from Microsoft, and Mobitel will use the Windows NT system of charging mobile telephony subscribers developed exclusively with Slovenian knowledge. The program has been tailored to Mobitel’s needs and is operating successfully.
Sweden
Telia and Tele2 said they finalized their agreement for a joint venture company to build a Universal Mobile Telecommunications System network in Sweden. The new company will be called Svenska UMTS-nat. As previously announced in January, the company will build and operate networks for next-generation mobile telephony. Telia did not receive a UMTS license in Sweden.
United Kingdom
Ericsson said Vodafone announced the nationwide launch of its General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) network supplied by the Swedish vendor. Vodafone will commercially launch the network on 2 April, according to Ericsson. Vodafone has been conducting trials with business users.
