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Albania: Telecommunications provider sold to Calik, Turk Telekom Print E-mail
Tuesday, 19 June 2007
Albania's government sold 76% of its monopoly fixed line operator to a joint venture between Turkey's Calik Group and Turk Telekom for US$ 161 million.

"Calik has entered a partnership with Turk Telekom, and it has also agreed to build its own mobile phone network," Economy Ministry spokeswoman Iva Tico said.

The privatisation of Albtelecom took longer than expected. In May 2005, Calik was the only bidder for the company, but the government that came to power in July 2005 refused to ratify the deal, saying Calik had to satisfy the condition of having a partnership with a strategic telecoms operator. Calik then joined forces with Turk Telekom to create a company 80% held by Calik and 20% by Turk Telekom.

Turk Telekom's majority owner, Oger Telecom, said earlier this year it might bid for a majority stake in Albtelecom through Turk Telekom if Albania annulled the previous tender and started a new privatisation process.

Albtelecom serves 33% of Albania's 800,000 households and 7% of the country's 3.6 million population.

Source: Reuters - WDR/Intelecon Regulatory News.