[Effendi]

HSDPA Launched in Bulgaria

Mobiltel, mobilkom austria group-member, has launched the first HSDPA network in Bulgaria. The company thereby joins the world's first five network operators offering their customers the new 3G technology. In September 2005, Mobiltel announced the technical launch of UMTS, which is now available commercially and which provides the basis for HSDPA as well. "With HSDPA and the first 3G network in Bulgaria, Mobiltel has once more demonstrated its pioneering role as leader in both the market and in technology," says Josef Vinatzer, CEO Mobiltel.

All Mobiltel customers who already have a 3G-capable mobile phone can begin using the new, even faster network today. The changeover takes place completely automatically and free of charge - even the cost of data downloads remains the same.

HSDPA is currently available to Mobiltel customers in the capital Sofia. Within this year the network will be expanded to include other major cities. Just as in Austria, the Bulgarian HSDPA network is of course completely integrated into the overall network: Should a customer leave the area where 3G is available, the mobile phone automatically switches over to the 2G network.