[Financial concerns plague Czech auction as well but all four licenses expected to be awarded by end of September.]

by Robert Anderson, Prague -- "The Czech government will try to charge the country's three mobile telephone operators Kc5bn ($134m) for a third-generation licence and will auction a fourth to a new entrant.

"The plan has been strongly attacked by the mobile operators.

"They argue that the price level is unrealistic given the failure of other European telecommunications auctions recently, and that it will hold back the growth of the telecoms market.

"But the government has already pencilled in Kc20bn in revenue for the four licences into this year's budget, which is set to be Kc190bn in deficit, according to the finance ministry.

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