Cellco Tele2 has claimed that the Latvian government could save more than LVL4 million (USD7.73 million) by inviting bids from mobile operators on a more regular basis, The Baltic Course is reporting citing local press. Tele2, which according to TeleGeography’s GlobalComms database held 46.9% of the mobile market at the end of June 2008, is understood to have presented its figures to the government, asserting that government departments could more proactively review contracts and invite new bids to increase competition. At present, the majority of ministerial departments use Tele2 rival Latvijas Mobilais Telefons’ (LMT’s) services; LMT has responded to the claims, stating that it has always supported competition and participated in bidding organised by state run entities.

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