Expectation

[changes shape the future]

We completed projects that were of strategic
importance for maintaining our leading position
and for becoming a modern telecommunications
company. One of the most important projects
concerned preparations for a fully
liberalised market.

Right strategy

In 2002 the process of transforming the company into a market and customer-oriented telecommunications company reached its peak. It brought about changes of strategic importance with regard to company management, development and the range of products and services, organisational structure and employment policy. We determined the strategy for further development of all areas in which Slovenské telekomunikácie, a.s. operates, i.e. fixed telephone lines, data communications and online services, so as to make the best use of the potential for their further growth.

Successful areas of change

The most significant changes focusing on the internal environment included full centralisation of all activities and a marked increase in efficiency. By selling Slovenské telekomunikácie, a.s., TELEMONT, o.z., branch we concentrated on core business. Activities targeted at our customers represented an important part of our preparations for a fully liberalised market and the corresponding competition. We introduced new products, services, new billing system, and modern ways of direct and indirect communication with our customers.

Comprehensive preparation for a fully liberalised market

Every one of us on each management level participated in the preparation for a fully liberalised telecommunications market. We took into consideration all of the provisions of the Telecommunications Act and related legal regulations and also built on the experience of telecommunications operators of fixed lines in neighbouring countries. Preparations were focused on fulfilment of legislative requirements, technical readiness for interconnection, the creation of a team of qualified experts necessary for the provision of services related to requirements stipulated by the Telecommunications Act, as well as on development of a competitive portfolio of products and services.

The outcome of these preparations is that as at 1 January 2003 Slovenské telekomunikácie, a.s. met the legal prerequisites and created the foundation for the provisioning of new modern services.

Expecting new challenges

We know that liberalisation will bring new challenges and possibilities. We want to be a market leader in all our business activities also in the new environment. In order to achieve this we will continue in our main strategy, at the heart of which are the customers. We have always offered them service quality and reliability, which we will continue to improve. We know that only a modern and innovative approach in the area of fixed line services is the key to success. We will make use of the growth potential in the advancing field of data communications and online services and will search for new opportunities for its utilisation. We have proven that we can work efficiently with costs and so increase our profitability. Changes need people who can implement them; and thus we also concentrate our attention on retaining and developing a team of qualified and motivated employees.