The GSM Association representing the world’s GSM/Satellite operators, regulators and administrations from 129 countries of the world, today welcomed the breakthrough agreement reached by Ericsson and Qualcomm. The GSM Association stated that the industry could now look forward to focusing on the real technology issues behind developing and evolving 3^rd Generation wireless technologies.

Chairman of the GSM Association, Richard Midgett said: "The agreement effectively enables 3^rd Generation standards development to proceed at full pace. It ensures that global GSM operators can make clear cut technology choices to roll-out 3G networks for the future which are designed to meet the needs and requirements of customers
worldwide."

"The announcement appears to remove all the major barriers previously in the way of the ITU’s ambitious program for IMT-2000 development. It will ensure that commonality can be achieved in the determination of standards, and that work will now be progressed rapidly according to the ITU’s stated timeframe."

"The GSM Association will continue driving GSM technology development to ensure that 3^rd Generation wireless standards - based on an evolution of the GSM Platform - will provide all the advanced capabilities to offer the comprehensive range of 3G services envisioned for our customers of today and those of tomorrow," added Midgett.

Currently, there are 323 members of the GSM Association, with operators providing GSM services to more than 150 million customers of the world – equivalent to 65 percent of the world’s total market for digital wireless communications. There are 324 GSM networks operating commercial services in 118 countries/areas at present (counting one network per licence per licence area).

EuroTel Praha, a member of the global GSM Association of network operators, administrative and regulatory bodies, achieved a total of more than 600,000 of customers in January 1999.

"As in the past years we will continue to offer our customers the most innovative services with the highest quality possible at affordable prices," emphasizes Ed Kingman, Managing Director of EuroTel Praha. "It is the customer's trust, considered to be a decisive factor in the future of mobile phones, that we respect. Therefore we provide our customers with the highest quality services, according to their individual requirements and needs. We will keep and improve our position as the leader in the Czech telecommunication market," added Ed Kingman. "Furthermore EuroTel is the only operator in the Czech Republic, which offers SuperSound to its customers - even better sound quality using the next generation of GSM technology."

EuroTel Praha, spol. s r.o., is a joint venture of SPT TELECOM, a.s., (51%) and Atlantic West B.V. (49%). Atlantic West B.V. is a company with an equal share of Bell Atlantic (NYSE:BEL) and MediaOne International, which is a part of MediaOne Group (NYSE:UMG)

Prague, March 30^th, 1999