Vladimir Lučić, the General Director of Telekom Srbija, announced that the company will receive a license for the introduction of the 5G network in the first quarter of next year, with plans for nationwide implementation across Serbia. According to Lučić, within a year, every city in Serbia will have access to the 5G network, which will also support the EXPO project. The company plans to offer advanced services alongside the 5G rollout, showcasing these innovations to EXPO visitors.
Telekom Srbija has secured financial backing for the 5G project from the American Exim Bank, making it the only operator in Europe with a contract with the bank and the sole company in the Western Balkans to have a direct contract with the European Investment Bank. Lučić noted that the American institution’s involvement opens up significant financing opportunities, promising future American investments in Serbia. The initial funding is $50 million, but Lučić anticipates much larger investments as the 5G network expands.
Telekom Srbija’s U.S. expansion plans
In addition to the 5G network development, Lučić discussed Telekom’s plans for expanding its business into the U.S. market, following a model similar to their operations in Austria and Germany. The company expects to have around 10,000 television users in the U.S. by the end of the year. Furthermore, starting in April 2025, U.S. customers will be able to use Telekom’s mobile network just as they would in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland.
Lučić also emphasized the company’s commitment to connecting the Serbian diaspora by making mobile calls between several countries, including Serbia, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia and, starting in April 2025, the U.S., free of charge.
Finally, Lučić highlighted the strengthening of Serbia’s relations with the United States in recent years, expressing optimism for further improvements in the coming years, noting that Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić was one of the first heads of state to engage with then-President Donald Trump after his election.
