Budapest, November 4, 2003 13:00

Matáv has signed a three-year data network agreement with the North Transdanubian Gas Company Ltd. (Égáz) and the South Great Plain Gas Company Ltd. (Dégáz) with a value of HUF 130 million. Matáv provides Flex-Com service in Égáz area, Frame relay technology in the Dégáz area and broadband leased-line Internet access in the Győr and Szeged headquarters of the utility companies. This agreement has given Matáv the possibility to prove its competence and professional capabilities in Invitel’s service area.

The majority Gaz de France-owned Égáz and Dégáz companies decided to leverage their market force and jointly invite a tender for the establishment and operation of data network and backbone exchange connection in their service areas, as well as for the provision of broadband leased line Internet access service.

At the end of the multi-round bidding process, the two gas companies judged Matáv's offer proposing the establishment of a combined data network in the two service areas to be the best.

"Formerly, it was not Matáv that provided frame relay data communication service for us in the service area belonging to Szeged. This decision was influenced by the fact that Matáv has proved to be an excellent partner of several years' standing in our service area belonging to Győr in respect of both data and voice services," said Dr. Sándor Laczó, chief executive officer of Égáz and Dégáz. "We have set up a joint project team with Matáv to make the change of service providers as smooth as possible. As a result, both our own infrastructure and the accesses shared with the partner companies have been established within the shortest possible time."

Sándor Laczó noted at the contract signing ceremony that the two gas companies intended to buy additional value-added sector-specific services from Matáv.