CEO of Telekom Serbia Exclusively for Newsmax: Next Year We Launch a Mobile Network in the U.S.

While participating in the Transatlantic Economic Cooperation Forum, Lucic emphasized the importance of American partnerships, expressing optimism about collaboration with the administration of Donald Trump.

“It is my pleasure to be in the U.S. Over the last year, I’ve been in Washington four times, and I’ve shown why Telekom Serbia is a really good example of how our company and U.S. companies and U.S. institutions can help Western Balkans and the Westen Balkans companies grow,” said Lucic.

He outlined three examples of successful cooperation with American institutions and companies. The first is the partnership with the U.S. Export-Import Bank.

“We are the first company in Europe, not only in Westrn Balkans, with direct contract with Exim Bank. And while we also work with European Western banks, what’s significant for America is the Exim Bank. The Export-Import Bank will support us in developing our 5G network,” Lucic stated.

The second example is a partnership with Bank of America.

“Together with Bank of America, last year we became the first company of the Western Balkans, really the first company in the history of Western Balkans, to issue corporate bonds on European capital markets. So, we are now a company that operates on the European capital market,” said Lucic.

The third example relates to media partnerships.

“We have your license in the Western Balkans. We are producing content related to sports, entertainment, also news. Our strategy is also to bring serious news channels, and we have two. One is Newsmax Balkans, in cooperation with your company, and the second is Euronews,” Lucic emphasized.

Speaking about the cultural and media differences between the Balkans and the rest of Europe, Lucic pointed out that the Balkans are more or less part of Europe.

“Unfortunately, because of history, we are still not part of the EU, but I think taht we will be soon. So, we are part of Europe, everything is similar, like in Europe, with the news, with the entertainment, and sports,” he said.

The Largest Operator in the Western Balkans

Lucic also announced plans for business expansion.

“We are the largest operator in the Western Balkans, but also now we have plans to expand into Western Europe and the U.S. Why? Because many people originally from the Western Balkans now live and work in Germany, Switzerland, Austria, and the United States. We started first from Austria, we opened a mobile network as an MVNO, then in Switzerland, and last year in Germany. And right now we have 400,000 users in those three countries,” Lucic noted.

Exclusively for Newsmax, he revealed that they will launch a mobile network in the U.S., which will be the next country in line.

“At the beginning of next year, we will launch our MVNO here, targeting our people that are originally from Serbia and Bosnia, but also other users can use our mobile SIM card and watch content and channels from our region. In that way, we will expand our operation to the U.S. as well,” Lucic explained on Newsmax.

According to him, Telekom Serbia news channels also cover major international topics, including the war in Ukraine.

“For example, Newsmax, we are making 12 hours of the local news daily, covering topics such as the war between Russia and Ukraine. It’s important to highlight that we respect the rules and that our journalists enjoy freedom, knowing they are part of two major companies – Newsmax and Euronews. They respect media freedom, and I’m truly proud of the journalists who consistently and objectively report on these issues,” said the Telekom Serbia director.

Good Relations Between the U.S. and Serbia

Speaking about changes in the U.S. administration and their impact on cooperation, Lucicemphasized that over the past five years, relations between Serbia and the United States have been moving in a very positive direction.

“Even during the Biden administration, we began our cooperation with the U.S. Export-Import Bank. But right now, with the new administration, I have a feeling and I’m completely sure that that good direction will be much faster,” Lucic said.

In closing, he stated that Serbia and other Western Balkan countries should seize the opportunity offered by the new U.S. administration.

“The new American administration has the capacity of resolving all problems quickly. And I think that we have to use it for the additional growth of the Western Balkans. From the initial meetings we’ve had today, I can already see that we will definitely have even better relations as a company. Then we will use that opportunity for even better communication and cooperation. Many American companies will definitely take advantage of this. And I am really optimistic about the new administration,” concluded Vladimir Lucic.

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