Budapest, December 5, 2003

The new Act on Electronic Communications is a major step in catching up with the European Union, lays the foundations in communications for building up the information society and a knowledge-based economy and serves the target of boosting market competition.

The members of the Round Table wish to continue their constructive professional cooperation developed during the elaboration of the new Act on Electronic Communications to build up the information society and to serve consumers. They welcome the huge growth achieved in the past year as a result of the joint efforts of the state and the market players, and both IHM and the market players will take further steps to ensure more widespread use of the Internet in Hungary. The tools used for this purpose are the Közháló (Public Net) program, tax concessions, the IHM tenders invited for broadband and innovative technologies, training programs, promoting the use of the Internet and investments made by companies. These steps will be mutually supported since the guarantee for Hungary’s development is widespread use and accessibility of the Internet.

Cross-border expansion of telecommunications companies is supported by IHM and every possible diplomatic help will be offered. Partnership and close cooperation is offered to ensure continued efforts for building up the information society since the infocommunication sector is the one that can contribute the most efficiently to Hungary’s competitiveness with its growing contribution to the GDP.

The Telecommunications Round Table was established in October 2002 with the following members: Antenna Hungária Group, Fibernet Communication Ltd., GTS DataNet Telecommunications Plc., Hungarotel Ltd., Invitel Telecommunications Service Provider Ltd., Hungarian Telecommunications Company Ltd., Pannon GSM Telecommunications Ltd., PanTel Telecommunications Ltd., UPC Hungary Plc., Vodafone Hungary Ltd., Westel Mobile Telecommunications Ltd. and the Ministry of IT and Communications.