Invitel could be partner of state-owned mobile telco

Napi did not reveal its sources. MPVI told the paper that no such decision has been taken yet, terming the report as mere guesswork.

The company, however, will be open to a virtual service partnership, and the selection of the partner or partners will be based on equal chances, they added. Invitel said, that it will make a bid to partner up with MPVI if a tender was invited.

Napi Gazdaság noted that a court case, in which the three existing mobile telecommunications service providers – Magyar Telekom, Telenor Magyarország and Vodafone Magyarország – contested the National Media and Infocommunications Authority (NMHH)'s decision awarding MPVI its spectrum, will continue at the beginning of September.

MPVI Mobil, a consortium of postal company Magyar Posta, the Hungarian Electricity Works (MVM) and the Hungarian Development Bank (MFB), was announced the winner in January of the biggest block – 5MHz – offered in an auction of the 900MHz band. Hungary's three existing mobile companies also won frequency blocks in the auction. MPVI Mobil board member Pal Schmidt said earlier MPVI was required to start offering services in the centre of the capital by the end of 2012.