Press Releases

Budapest, July 18, 2002

Matáv's reference interconnect offer (MARIO) has been approved by the Telecommunications Arbitration Committee (HDB).

In Matáv's opinion, the authority's approval of the reference interconnect offer (RIO) of Matáv and other telecommunications companies is an extremely important milestone. This reference interconnect offer enables the actors on the telecommunications market to conclude with each other such reliable long-term interconnect agreements as reflect the essence of the new interconnect system. Correspondingly this will involve modifying the recently signed transitory contracts and/or fully replacing the old agreements. The presently accepted reference interconnect offer (MARIO) will serve as the basis of the interconnect agreements to be concluded with new service providers or with those already operating carriers that intend to increase their market presence.

It will take a few more days for Matáv to prepare a thorough analysis of the HDB resolution issued in connection with MARIO. However, after a quick overview of the resolution, it can already be concluded that the draft submitted by Matáv was for the most part accepted by HDB. The HDB, however augmented the draft with of services that, according to Matáv's interpretation, do not belong to the scope of MARIO - i.e. to that of services that will be rendered under regulated terms and conditions. Matáv will elaborate its standpoint within a few days deciding, at the same time, whether it wants to contest the resolution with respect to these services or will instead allow the market to judge the viability of the regulated service portfolio.

Independent of this decision, Matáv shall contact the carriers in the near future in order to conclude and/or finalize the interconnect agreements.

In light of the RIOs approved in the past days, Matáv – within the pertaining statutory limits – will re-consider its concept of the subscriber tariffs for national long-distance calls, taking into account the interesting situation whereby Matáv's more efficient operation has resulted in a lower cost level and, consequently, in interconnect fees that are significantly lower than the tariffs of other carriers.