Telekom Srbija planning purchase of cable operators

Telekom Srbija is negotiating with a certain number of cable operators and is planning the acquisition of several companies in this field, stated the CEO of Telekom, Predrag Culibrk.

In his interview with Vecernje Novosti, he didn't specify the names of the companies, but he said that the negotiations were open and that Telekom Srbija, as a transparent company, would not hide anything from the public if and when the agreement is reached.

He also says that Telekom Srbija has the financial capacities for those plans.

– With the great understanding of our majority shareholder, the Republic of Serbia, I believe that we can make even more significant investments, not just through our own investments in infrastructure, but also through acquisition in the period ahead of us – Culibrk points out.

He reminds that the local teleoperator has been holding a stable share of 46% in the market of mobile phone services for several years now, as well as 25% of the TV content segment.

At the same time, he points out that, today, in the TC market in Serbia, aside from the three dominant mobile operators, there are 90 TV service providers, around 200 internet service providers, as well as over 20 landline phone operators.

– It is to be expected that a substantial market consolidation will take place in the upcoming period and that the number of operators will drop to a more reasonable figure, which can secure the growth of the market and new investments and with it the implementation of new services that are being expected – Culibrk says.

Telekom Srbija, he emphasizes, will not stay on the sidelines in all this, hence the acquisition plans.

Commenting on the recent announcement by Austria's A1, which said that it had a billion euros for acquisitions in the region and mentioned a potential purchase of Telekom Srbija again, Culibrk says that he doesn't have that kind of information.

– I would like to note again that, at the amount of one billion euros, they are certainly not ready for the purchase of Telekom Srbija, as I believe that our company is worth more – says the CEO of Telekom Srbija.

Telekom Srbija a.d. Beograd

Telekom Srbija

A1 Austria

Predrag Culibrk

telecommunications market in Serbia

Telekom Srbija acquisitions

Telekom Srbija investments

purchase of cable operators

sale of Telekom Srbija

privatization of Telekom Srbija