- In some areas Telenor Serbia is the leader within the Telenor Group. For example, if we take customer satisfaction as an indicator of successful performance (KPIs), commonly used for the service industry around the world, Telenor Serbia is by far the leader in the group. This is a result of a good strategy and very diligent and competent people in the company and I think Telenor Serbia’s experience and good business practice can contribute to other business units of the Telenor Group. There are many managers from Serbia working for the group now helping other Telenor business units around the world and several of our high level managers are now in Bulgaria working for Globul, which was recently acquired by Telenor. We must not forget to mention the company’s very good financial performance, with double-digit growth last year placing us ahead of our other units across Europe.
■ How are Telenor’s operational results so far in 2013? - In terms of financial indicators, Telenor Serbia reported steady growth compared to the same period last year. Revenues in the first half of 2013 amounted to more than RSD 21 billion, representing a six per cent increase year-on-year. The number of subscribers has also risen and capital investments remain intensive in 2013, focusing on further expansion and improvement of the network and the IT stack. We are committed to continuing to improve the quality of service to our customers, while increasing network speed and data capacity through further investments in our infrastructure and information systems.
■ Telenor opened several free internet parks in Serbia this year. Tell us more about that project. - Internet access for everyone at any time in parks in open air is an idea we developed six years ago, in June 2008. The first Internet Park in Serbia was Students’ Park in Belgrade, which marked the beginning of Telenor’s new project aimed at improving PC literacy and making the internet available to as many people as possible. Since then internet parks have spread all over the country and Telenor has opened more than 30 parks in 16 cities all over Serbia. I must mention that local municipalities gave tremendous contributions to this project. Without their assistance many of these parks would still be internet-free green zones. Citizens all over Serbia reacted very positively to this original idea, which not only made their net surfing easier, enabling them to get informed and entertained, but also significantly contributed to development of the local community and society at large.
■ Telenor recently presented its new Android application, E-guide to eco destinations in Serbia. What is this project about? - Our Telenor Foundation has supported the Eco Virtour project, which includes the Android Application developed to provide information on eco travel destinations and the natural and cultural heritage of Serbia for all local and foreign tourists, as well as all people who like Our network is our competitive advantage nature and enjoy outdoor holidays. This virtual eco tour app targets users and we want to further improve the who want to experience protected outservice quality and network coverage we door areas in Serbia and those who want to connect with nature digitally before have in the region they actually go and see these desti■ As one of the leading investors in Serbia, how would you evaluate the nations. The app features some of the most beautiful parts of Serbia, current economic climate in the country compared to the period when like Fruška Gora National Park, Tara National Park, Kopaonik or Đavolja Varoš Natural Landmark. Telenor arrived here? - I believe that Serbia today has many opportunities, considering its With this project we have connected natural beauty spots with modcompetent workforce with high level skills, attractive cost level and ern technologies, presenting the finest landscapes in a modern fashion good geographic position. There is an opening to attract foreign inves- available to all users of smart devices and the internet. tors and develop the ICT industry and the Serbian economy. However, the government needs to stimulate this process by creating a stable ■ What new developments can we expect from Telenor in the near future? and predictable working environment with less red tape. -In short, new products and services, the latest smart devices, advanced Public consultations and active sector involvement in important legis- mobile financial services and convergent solutions for business cuslative decisions are a prerequisite for the creation of a predictable and tomers. stable regulatory environment, which would consequently bring more Looking at this region at this moment, Telenor has operations in Serbia, investment to Serbia. Montenegro, Hungary and Bulgaria. In order to deliver best-in-class exAt the end of the day, we have to maintain a good and progressive perience for customers in the region, we will strengthen our regional dialogue with the government, but we should not forget that we are cooperation and integrate the network and IT services. Our network is here to do business. The big international companies, along with the our competitive advantage and we want to further improve the service FIC, could assist the government in shaping the playing field in the best quality and network coverage we have in the region. A few days ago we possible form from a business perspective. The regulatory body is quite also opened our new Contact Centre in Subotica, which will employ adclear on where they want to go, but we can always challenge them by ditional Serbian and Hungarian agents who will serve customers from reminding them that they’re not getting there fast enough to follow both countries. Delivering the best-in-class customer experience is our market developments and needs. vision for the future. ■ Norway | World Markets and Opportunities | 57