Sarajevo first city in BiH with 4G network

SARAJEVO, (Patria) - More than 60 percent of the populated territory will be covered by the 4G network, while in the next five years 90 percent of the territory will be covered, said today the Chairman of the Council of Ministers Denis Zvizdić at the ceremony of awarding licenses for the introduction of the 4G network.

"In the next few months, citizens and businesses will be able to enjoy the fourth generation of mobile telephony. This means higher data sending speeds. First, Sarajevo will be able to enjoy this privilege, and later Mostar and all others. Today we will award licenses to operators," Zvizdić said.

He noted that the whole world is based on the rule of law and that it is time for this to be understood in BiH as well. He especially thanked RAK and the Ministry of Transport and Communications of BiH.

Zvizdić hopes that journalists will be the first to receive new SIM cards to enjoy these benefits.

Predrag Kovač, director of RAK, said that they were the bearers of this project.

"We worked diligently to reach this day to hand over the operating license for the 4-plus network. Three telecom operators were present so that we could implement the decision," Kovač said.

He emphasized that BiH budgets will also benefit from this. The commercialization of this service begins on May 8 because there are some prerequisites for starting commercialization.

"Regardless of the fact that we are late with the introduction of this fourth generation, we will contribute to faster economic growth," Kovač added.

Sedin Kahriman, on behalf of the management of BH Telecom, said that this is an important date for all BH Telecom users and citizens of BiH.

"We have officially become part of a large family. We now have a great responsibility. I take this opportunity to say that we have prepared special packages for users, and tomorrow at the fair in Mostar, we will experimentally try the 4G network," said Kahriman.

Goran Kraljević, a member of the management of HT Mostar, promised that the networks they build will also be ready for 5G. "What the fourth generation brings is much more quality for end-users," said Kraljević.

HT Eronet will also experimentally launch 4G at the fair in Mostar.

Representatives of Telekom Srpske did not attend today's ceremony in Sarajevo, and their licenses will be issued later.

The RS government did not agree with the method of distributing funds.

Zvizdić, responding to this question, said that everyone in BiH should respect their competencies.

"The Council of Ministers has not made any decisions that encroach on lower levels of government, so we will not allow lower levels to dictate to us," he said.

"We have had a redistribution of these funds before. Of course, not to this extent, but we have never done it without consultation. It is time to stop creating new topics for blockades and unnecessary discussions out of every little thing," Zvizdić said.