Bye Bye Vega...

[Effendi]

Slovenian Network Buys Rival

Mobilkom Austria Slovenian subsidiary Si.Mobil has paid US$26 million to buy struggling rival GSM operator, Vega. Si.mobil reached an agreement with Western Wireless International, the owner of Vega, which is going to exit Slovenian market. Si.mobil will acquire 135 base stations and belonging sites. Si.mobil examined the offer of WWI precisely and among 326 sites, chose the ones that would improve the existing coverage. Si.mobil currently ensures 99.6% coverage of Slovene population with GSM/GPRS signal and 80% coverage with EDGE technology.

Si.mobil, which is operating under the Si.mobil-Vodafone brand, expressed great interest for existing users of third mobile operator Vega. Special offer is adjusted to existing users of Vega. Users of Vega will also have the possibility to port the number into Si.mobil - Vodafone network, which was not possible till now.

The Mobile World database reported that Vega ended last year with just 35,000 subscribers - representing less than 2% of the market. Si.Mobil itself has just under 20% of the market, with some 360,000 subscribers.