"Beltelecam" to avoid privatisation

The Belarusian authorities have decided to put off the privatisation of the national telecoms operator “Beltelecam”. The enterprise is a monopolist providing all the country’s providers with international Internet traffic. The campaign of privatization of state enterprises began in Belarus last year. It was one of the terms of joining the WTO for Belarus alongside with the liberalisation of the telecoms market, reminds “Mir” broadcasting company.

However, it has turned out that giving “Beltelecam” to funders is like leaving all Belarusian telephonists without subsidies.  The authorities have set very low phone tariffs in comparison with the other CIS member states. It is possible because of the profit made on Internet traffic. Belarusian Internet users pay more than anywhere. The authorities think that it would be impossible to find a funder for such an enterprise during the world financial crisis.

The Belarusian Minister of Communications and Informatization Mikalai Pantsyalei has informed that local communication services are unprofitable for “Beltelecam”. Only about 58% of the price can be recompensed.