RIGA - Fixed-line telephone calls between Baltkom's and Lattelekom's networks finally became a reality on April 22, as Baltkom began offering clients a fully integrated package of telecommunication services - calls to networks of all operators without special access codes, the Internet and digital television.
"Everything we had been dreaming of for 10 years became true today," Baltkom group director general Peteris Smidre said.
Baltkom said that fixed-line calls in its network were nearly 30 percent cheaper than offers of other operators, while international calls were anywhere from 20 percent to 60 percent cheaper.
"Baltkom's services are primarily focused on individuals although we have some companies among our clients," said Smidre. The company currently has only 1,000 clients in its fixed-line service, but "we are expecting to increase the number of clients up to 35,000 by the end of 2004," he said.
At present Baltkom offers fixed-line service only to clients in Riga, who use the optical network of Baltkom TV cable television operator. Smidre said the company could offer fixed-line telecommunications in other cities as well, depending on the growth of the number of customers.
Andris Virtmanis, director of the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission, told reporters that with the possibility of intersystem calls "real competition in the fixed-telecommunications market has begun."
"If Mr. Smidre does not lead with prices, he is definitely the leader by technologies," said Virtmanis.
He said the regulator would try to bring down Lattelekom's interconnection rates, which Smidre said were too high.
Baltkom has been offering telephone services to its clients since May 2003, but it took nearly a year for the company to get an agreement with Lattelekom that includes nondiscriminatory interconnection rates.
Telephone communications offered on the market under the trademark Baltkom Telefonsakari are provided by Teledialogs, one of the Baltkom Group companies.
Baltkom TV, a subsidiary of the Baltkom Group, is the largest cable television company in Latvia and covers approximately 45 percent of the Riga market.
(BNS)
