Page 17 - bne_Tech_07_2019

Telecom
July 2019 www.intellinews.com I Page 17
Telekom Slovenije to sell 100% of Kosovo’s IPKO
Telekom Slovenije Group said on July 5 it started procedures to sell 100% of its Kosovan subsidiary Ipko Telecommunications.
Ipko is the second largest operator in Kosovo with a market share of around 38% in the mobile telephony segment and around 44% in the broadband fixed access segment.
The planned sale is part of Telekom Slovenije's 2019-2023 strategy, which includes the possibility of further consolidation through expansion or disinvestment, the group said in a bourse filing.
Despite the significant market share, Ipko has never succeeded to maintain stable financial operations, Slovenia's Delo reported on July 5. Ipko's 2018 loss totaled around €0.5mn while the accumulated loss in the last five years reached €12mn.
Telekom Slovenije acquired Ipko in 2006, when it operated only as Internet service provider.
After last year's capital increase, Ipko was valued at around €20mn.
Telekom Slovenije had the ambition to become
a regional player in the telecommunication market, but recently it started to sell it foreign units.
In 2014, it sold 50% stake in a profitable Gibtelecom in Gibraltar, and in 2017 it left North Macedonia’s market by selling its stake the second-largest operator one.Vip to Telekom Austria.
Last year, Telekom Slovenije sold a 100% stake in Bosnia’s Blicnet.