Canada : Telesystem International Wireless advised that its subsidiary, Oskar Mobil a.s. ("Oskar"), has secured a license to establish a 3G UMTS (also known as "3G") network in the Czech Republic. The license was awarded today by the Czech Telecommunications office (CTU).

"The award of this 3G license represents an important milestone in the planning of our expansion and development," says Alexander Tolstoy, COO and president of TIW. "We expect 3G UMTS to be an important platform for offering a new family of services to our data-oriented customers, as the market continues to evolve."

Oskar has agreed to pay the CZK 2 billion (US$88.7 million) price for the license, as set by the Czech Government, payable by installments over five years. The license is awarded for a term of 20 years and requires Oskar to achieve initial implementation targets in Prague by January 1st 2008, at the latest.