The co-operation would serve the interests of both MPVI and Invitel, Napi Gazdasag observes, as MPVI could reach out to existing Invitel clients, while Invitel – present on the internet and fixed-line segments – could set foot in the mobile market and get closer to the public sector.

A court ruling expected in two weeks could have a major impact of the future of the state venture, as the Budapest Municipal Court is to rule whether the media authority NMHH proceeded correctly in awarding the 900MHz frequency to MPVI.

The decision was contested by the incumbent mobile-phone operators Vodafone, Telenor and T-Mobile.

MPVI’s right to use the frequency was suspended in the meantime, and further delay may casts doubt on whether it could start operating by the end of the year, as stipulated in the license contract. Building out the necessary infrastructure would cost tens of billions of forints, Napi Gazdasag notes.

Source: Hungary Around the Clock

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