Page 14 - bne_Tech_11_2020

Telecom
November 2020 www.intellinews.com I Page 14
Hrvatski Telekom launches Croatia’s first commercial 5G network
Hrvatski Telekom has launched Croatia’s first 5G network.
The company says that the network will “enable the connection and automation of a large number of sensors, industrial devices, autonomous vehicles, drones and the further development
of telemedicine.”
The network is based on Dynamic Spectrum Sharing (DSS) technology and is already operating in Zagreb, Rijeka, Split, Osijek, Samobor and Sveta Nedelja.
"With the 5G network, we create opportunities for numerous innovations that will enable economic and social development. Today we are laying the foundations of the future and I am proud that Hrvatski Telekom is pushing the boundaries again
and setting new standards,” said Kostas Nebis, president of the company’s management board.
Chief technical officer of Hrvatski Telekom Boris Drilo said the launch of the network was “the culmination of many years of work and significant investments with which we have not given up even in such an economically challenging period, because social and economic progress is possible only through technological development”.
“The application of 5G technology will enable the further development of existing, but also completely new, digital services, such as sensor networking and artificial intelligence in the context of ‘smart and green solutions' in manufacturing, agriculture, health and the public sector,” Drilo added.
Russia's MTS ups revenues 5% in 3Q20
Russian mobile majors MTS (Mobile TeleSystems) reported revenue growth of 5% year on year under IFRS in 3Q20, with Russia accounting for 98-99% of total revenue and Ebitda.
Adjusted Ebitda increased by 3% y/y at a margin of 45% and no major provisions for MTS Bank. Net income was up by 2% on lower interest income, but was under pressure from foreign currency loss impact and discontinued operations.
As reported by bne IntelliNews, previously in 2Q20 MTS released solid IFRS numbers, showing resilience to lockdown challenges and lifting inter-regional roaming fees in Russia. MTS is an anchor asset of AFK Sistema multi-industry investment conglomerate.
In the reporting quarter mobile revenues in Russia were up by 3%, with pressure from lower roaming revenue was more than countered by tariff increases early in the year, BCS Global Markets commented on November 18.