Sunday, 13 March 2022

HT, Nokia Test Broadband 25G PON Optics at 20 Gbps Speed at Rijeka Lab

March the 13th, 2022 - Hrvatski Telekom/Croatian Telecom (HT) and Nokia were among the first in the entire world to test advanced 25G PON optical technology in the HT Rijeka lab.

As Poslovni Dnevnik writes, this is the latest generation of optical network, which increases the speed of download and transmission to unprecedented levels, and with this test, the Rijeka lab measured a speed of 20 gigabits per second.

25G PON technology is otherwise ten times faster than GPON technology, which was enabled by HT for the first time with gigabit broadband access back in 2007, then again but two and a half times faster than XGS-PON technology which was applicable within the HT network from 2021.

The equipment currently used by Hrvatski Telekom is ready for 25G PON, which means that it isn't necessary to make any further adjustments to the main systems in order to realise its commercial availability.

The biggest advantages of 25G PON optics are large capacities, cost optimisation, a generally wider application and a simple introduction into the existing HT optical network, and its application will accelerate the introduction and development of advanced high-performance solutions such as big data, artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning.

"Ten years ago, a piece of technology was launched that enabled the transition to HDTV without which many of us wouldn't be able to imagine everyday life now, and today the 25G PON optical network is making history at speeds 200 times faster than that. By testing 25G PON optics and being among the first in the world to do so at the Rijeka lab, Hrvatski Telekom is highlighting its commitment to establishing and maintaining the best user experience through monitoring and introducing some of the world's most modern technological trends,'' said Ivan Uremovic, the director of Strategy and Planning of Access Networks.

Hrvatski Telekom is otherwise one of the first companies from the Deutsche Telekom Group to test out Nokia's broadband 25G PON optics.

Manfred Egger, head of Fixed Access Network Development for Deutsche Telekom and Central Europe at Nokia, said:

“25G PON works flawlessly on the same hardware with existing GPON and XGS-PON broadband technologies. We're very proud to have successfully completed this important test, which confirms the ease with which communication service providers can expand their scope and capacity of broadband access.''

Back in 2021, Hrvatski Telekom increased its fixed network with a record introduction of optics for a new 100,000 households and companies, and the total FTTH coverage increased by 30 percent compared to last year. In that same year, HT was also awarded Umlaut's "Best in Test" award for the best fixed network.

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Friday, 13 August 2021

Croatian Telecom Puts First Dubrovnik 5G Network into Function

August the 13th, 2021 - As has unofficially been learned, the very first Dubrovnik 5G network has been set up and put into function by Croatian Telecom, bringing Croatia's southernmost city in line with the most advanced of Internet speeds.

As Dubrovacki Dnevnik writes, according to unofficial information available to the previously linked Dubrovnik daily, the first Dubrovnik 5G network was launched in four locations - in the Gruz business zone, on Ilijina Glavica, around the Rixos Libertas hotel and in Mokosica. The Dubrovnik daily tested out the new 5G network that allows for a huge speed of almost 1000 mbps in two of those locations - Ilijina Glavica and at the Rixos Libertas hotel. Of course, a prerequisite for use is the possession of a device or mobile phone that supports 5G.

The first Dubrovnik 5G network represents huge opportunities for Dubrovnik's local economy and perspective.

The fact that Croatian Telecom was the first to launch the Dubrovnik 5G network also shows that it is an infrastructural precondition for the development of the area of Dubrovnik in the direction of a smart city, which is often mentioned in the city as one of its priority goals. Of course, this is an opportunity for the further development of sustainable tourism, especially in the perspective of digital nomadism and the city's commitment to be a centre of digital nomad tourism. In addition to all of the above, this step also represents a kind of path towards the further improvement of Dubrovnik's local economy and the opening up of opportunities for the development of the IT sector in Dubrovnik.

It should be noted that after the public auction procedure and the investment of 130 million kuna for the new radio frequency spectrum, Croatian Telecom was assigned a 2x10 MHz block at the national level in the 700 MHz frequency band, 12 10 MHz blocks in the 3.6 GHz frequency band (total 120 MHz), and in the 26 GHz frequency band, 2 blocks of 200 MHz (400 MHz in total). Licenses for the use of radio frequency spectrum are granted for a period of fifteen years.

The new 5G network means higher speeds for half a million inhabitants, including the people of Dubrovnik.

Croatian Telecom recently announced that it now provides coverage of two million inhabitants through 600 5G base stations. At the same time, as many as 149 or every fourth base station operates at 3.6 GHz, which means that they are in the area of ​​12 cities; in Zagreb, Split, Rijeka, Osijek, Dubrovnik, Karlovac, Pula, Slavonski Brod, Sibenik, Varazdin, Velika Gorica and Zadar, and even higher speeds were provided for half a million inhabitants.

Ensuring the largest share of the 5G spectrum, Croatian Telecom's network is ready for all of the future requirements in terms of capacity, high speed and low latency, both in the private user and industrial segment. It will enable the use of the 5G network on all three frequency bands: 700 MHz, 3.6 GHz and 26 GHz, thus continuing to set industry standards and enable the application of new technologies with the aim of stimulating economic growth and social progress. Healthcare, education, manufacturing, agriculture, energy, tourism, transport, smart city development and Industry 4.0 are just some of the areas that the implementation of the 5G network will significantly improve.

To all of its customers, in certain tariffs in the period until September the 30th, 2021, Croatian Telecom will offer (without any additional costs) the possibility of using the 5G network for which it is necessary to be in the area of ​​5G network coverage and have a compatible 5G device. According to the plan, enabling the use of the 5G network on new frequencies has already begun and is being implemented gradually through tariffs. It is envisaged that the benefits of the new frequencies during August will become available to all users who were involved in the promo period of using 5G via DSS technology.

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Friday, 23 April 2021

HT to Pay Shareholders HRK 8 Per Share in Dividend

ZAGREB, 23 April, 2021 - The Croatian Telecom (HT) telecommunications company's General Assembly on Friday decided that it would pay its shareholders a dividend of HRK 8 per share of its 2020 profit.

The assembly determined that HT generated a net profit of  HRK 703.8 million in 2020 and that of that amount HRK 641.9 million shall be paid out as dividend to shareholders, in the amount of HRK 8.00 per share.

Part of the net profit or HRK 61.9 million shall be allocated as retained earnings.

The dividend will be paid out to all shareholders that are registered at the Central Depository & Clearing Company (SKDD) on 6 May 2021.

The dividend will be paid on 17 May 2021.

(€1 = HRK 7.572279)

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Friday, 1 January 2021

Croatian Telecom Donates 3 Million Kuna for Post-Earthquake Reconstruction

January the 1st, 2021 - The tragic Petrinja earthquake which affected Petrinja, Glina, Sisak and other surrounding areas in central Croatia has seen floods of help, aid and donations come in from across the country and indeed the world, and Croatian Telecom/Hrvatski Telekom is yet another entity to step forward and offer aid to those who have suffered as a result of the devastating natural disaster.

As Poslovni Dnevnik wrires, following the earthquake, Croatian Telecom's employees went out to the most heavily quake-affected areas to make sure the telecommunications network was fully functioning in order to keep everyone connected during those most difficult and stressful of moments.

In addition to the above, Croatian Telecom is donating a generous three million kuna for post-earthquake reconstruction in the afflicted central Croatian locations to the special Earthquake Reconstruction Assistance account.

"In the shortest possible time, we enabled the uninterrupted operation of base stations in the area of Sisak, Petrinja and Glina along with our partners, and we increased our capacities with additional mobile base stations. At the same time, we delivered 1,000 SIM cards and portable chargers to all of the earthquake-affected areas, and we're working on establishing a WiFi connection for the reception centre for people who have been left homeless,'' they stated from Croatian Telecom.

For more on the Petrinja earthquake, as well as helpful links for how you can donate funds, food, material, sanitary and other humanitarian aid, follow our dedicated section.

 

Tuesday, 15 December 2020

Croatian Telecom 5G Network Offer to Cover Many Croatian Residents

December the 15th, 2020 - Croatian Telecom is only continuing its marked success over recent months as it prepares to offer access to its 5G network for more than one million Croatian residents.

As Novac/Bernard Ivezic writes, after being challenged by competition in mobile communications for a long time, Croatian Telecom (CT) has made a significant and decisive turn this year. The company was the first in all of Croatia to offer 5G commercially, and it already offers it to more than a million citizens across fourteen Croatian cities, then it received recognition from Spetest and Ookla that its 4G network proved to be the 10th fastest mobile network in the world, a result achieved by no other operator from Croatia.

Jutarnji list talked about this with Boris Drilo, a member of CT's board for technology and information technology. Drilo says that he expected a good placement, but that he couldn't have even imagined that CT would be declared the tenth best in the world.

How many 5G users does CT have?

At the moment, there are about 17,000 users with 5G devices on our network. 5G is available to users using certain tariffs until the end of June 2021, without paying a fee. Leading the way are Samsung's models, with a 50 percent share, then iPhone with a 20 percent share, followed by a group of Chinese manufacturers, such as Huawei and Xiaomi.

Why did you rush to offer commercial 5G to Croatian residents for free?

Because it's important to both us and our customers. For us, it's an important technological step forward, a goal in our development path by which we wanted to show ourselves and our partners what we want to achieve. This is important for our users, too, because this year, all the latest mobile phone models supported 5G technology. If you have the best tariffs on our network and the best mobile phones, we want you to have the best user experience, ie the fastest access to mobile Internet and apps.

When 2G, 3G and 4G came out, none of this was discussed, but with the advent of 5G, it was talked about. Is your 5G the real 5G considering that the frequencies for 5G won't be shared until 2021?

CR has been offering 5G commercially, and it is real 5G in terms of how data exchange between mobile phones and base stations works. That's why you have a 5G icon on your phone. Our 5G network works on the frequencies we have now. When we get new frequencies, we'll start using them. In this case it is important to understand that 5G will work on all frequencies, new and old, including those used today for 4G, 3G and 2G technologies.

What enabled you to offer commercial 5G and 5G frequencies before 2021?

When it comes to the rules on the use of the radio frequency spectrum, the regulator Hakom has expanded the definition of technological neutrality of the spectrum we use. So far, that neutrality has applied to 2G, 3G and 4G technologies. 5G technology wasn't included in it because it didn't exist at the time of its writing. This has now been changed by Hakom, which is a common practice all over the world. However, that doesn’t mean we won’t have to go for the allocation of the new 5G spectrum. This is now a transitional solution. The state plans to allocate the 5G frequencies. We hope, given that we believe that it isn't yet time to monetise 5G, that the fees that the state will demand for 5G will be set fairly to enable us to establish the proper infrastructure that will be the basis for digitalisation of the economy and society as soon as possible.

How much faster is surfing over 5G compared to 4G at the moment?

You can currently surf 10 to 15 percent faster on 5G than you can on 4G. This is because they use existing available frequencies, which have so far been used for 4G using a technology called Dynamic Spectrum Sharing, and a limited set of available 5G technology capabilities. The plan with the development of 5G is to reach gigabit speeds. For this, we'll have to wait until 2021, when new frequencies will be allocated, for example those at 3.5 GHz, thanks to which the available spectrum will be doubled and a significant increase in speed will be enabled. Currently, all three operators have an average of 90-100 megahertz of spectrum available, and with the allocation of the new spectrum, each operator will receive an additional 100. In parallel, new technological capabilities will be offered on 5G, so the speeds will reach gigabit. In reality, user speeds on 5G networks at 3.5 GHz will be 2-3 times higher than those we now have on 4G.

What does the increase in surf speeds on 5G depend on?

Firstly, they depend on the allocation of a new spectrum next year and on the technological possibilities of combining the existing and new frequency spectrum. The more spectrum we're able to offer for 5G, the higher the speeds will be. At the same time, it's important that users switch from 4G devices to 5G devices in order to take advantage of all the benefits provided by this new technology.

What speeds can Croatian residents expect in the long run?

With the arrival of a new spectrum and new technological capabilities of 5G and up to ten times higher speeds in the future. Ideally up to a gigabit, potentially a gigabit and a half. However, in reality, and in real conditions, it may not be so. For example, 4G user speeds today stand at around 60-70 Mbps, not 300-400 Mbps as achieved in very favourable conditions. Additionally, 5G won't be 1Gbps for everyone nor will such speeds be available everywhere, around 300 Mbps in real conditions should be achievable, however.

Will 5G reduce the number of network crashes for Croatian residents?

5G technology means an advancement in every way. In some segments, the fifth-generation network architecture will be more distributed than the 4G architecture is, which in theory means it should be more resilient and as such more stable. However, each new technology comes with certain 'childhood diseases' that we'll need to be prepared for and work on.

Will 5G increase radiation?

The way things were for 4G are the same as they'll be with 5G. Croatia has one of the strictest regulations on this issue and that hasn't changed. So, everything that is strictly defined for 4G is equally as strictly defined for 5G. The maximum allowable radiation intensity isn't about to change. Everything is going to remain as it was, that is, we're going to remain more rigorous than many developed European countries such as Italy, France, Austria and Great Britain. Such rigorous rules aren't good because they slow down the development of networks and thus slow down the digitalisation and development of the economy and society.

We can already see that with the arrival of 5G, 3G and 4G networks will disappear, and potentially 2G will as well. Will WiFi networks disappear as well?

No. The fifth generation of mobile networks will remain in the domain of mobile networks while WiFi will continue to be used for home networks and related Internet access within households or for specific needs such as Internet access in hotels or conference rooms. Just as 5G will not replace optical Internet access, it will also not replace WiFi, which as a standard continues to evolve to enable the highest possible wireless speeds within a household connected to the Internet via an optical connection. For example, the latest WiFi 6 standard defines speeds of up to 10 Gbps, which isn't possible if you don't have a very high capacity optical connection.

However, in industrial applications, if anyone has even used WiFi until now, there is a good reason to replace it with 5G. I expect 5G to go in the direction of industrial use in this case, it will involve communication with devices, machines and robots. It's to be expected that industrial 5G modules will be much more affordable, and by its very design, 5G envisions much more industrial application than WIFI.

When we talk about technological possibilities, ie the maturation of 5G technology, what is already possible today, for example, on your 5G network?

We presented the cooperation on the transmission of video signals between drones and augmented reality glasses made by the Croatian startup Orqa via 5G. I expect 5G technology to gradually mature over the next five years. Not all 5G functionalities are there from the very beginning. For example, the 5G functionalities that will enable self-driving cars aren't yet there. This requires latency, ie the response speed of the 5G network below 10 milliseconds. For example, we're now at 25-30 milliseconds in real conditions. I think that before that comes, we'll start with the application of 5G sensors in so-called smart solutions, whether that's agriculture, logistics or the municipal infrastructure of cities. 5G is better than 4G technology, as it allows for a much higher sensor density per square kilometre.

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Friday, 11 December 2020

Croatian Telecom Launches National Digital Education Programme

December the 11th, 2020 - The older generation will get a helping hand when it comes to technological advancements thanks to Croatian Telecom/Hrvatski Telekom, who will launch a national digital education programme intended precisely for them.

As Poslovni Dnevnik writes, under the current and increasingly tiresome anti-epidemic measures, nursing homes were forced to severely restrict visits from family members, friends and volunteers. Thus, social contacts and socialising, which have always played a key role in the daily lives of the residents of nursing homes, were lessened dramatically, replaced by an unfortunate and considerable sense of loneliness and isolation, which is especially difficult as the festive season approaches.

Aware of this problem, Croatian Telecom, in cooperation with the Volunteer Center Zagreb, has launched a national digital education programme designed for the elderly. During the first phase of the national digital education program, which is part of a broader socially responsible "In Good Hands/U Dobrim Rukama" concept, the company donated tablets and free internet for fourteen homes for the elderly throughout Croatia, and next year, the programme will continue to expand in order to include additional such homes.

Members of the Croatian Telecom Volunteer Club also participate in the national digital education programme, and the will prepare easy-to-understand educational videos through which senior citizens will easily be able learn how to use various digital tools that will allow them to be connected and remain in constant contact with their families and friends throughout this difficult time. In the first video, the residents of fourteen homes for the elderly in the City of Zagreb will learn how to establish WhatsApp video calls on their tablets. Educational video materials will be continuously upgraded and will soon be published on the official channels of Croatian Telecom.

"Digital tools are here to make our lives easier. Unfortunately, a large number of our senior citizens don't have enough digital skills to be able to take advantage of them. That's why we see the digital education programme for senior citizens as fulfilling our mission of connecting everyone in Croatia with the possibilities of digitalisation and building a world of better opportunities. We want to teach them how to use digital tools like video calls through which they can hear and see their loved ones much more often. At Croatian Telecom, we're aware of our important role in ensuring equal access to technology for everyone in Croatia, and we aren't going to stop until we achieve this,'' said Ivan Bartulovic, a member of the Human Resources Management Board of CT.

"The digital education project has recognised a very vulnerable group of citizens during the epidemic and the closure of society - residents of homes for the elderly, who, in these unfortunate circumstances, are almost completely cut off from their loved ones. Volunteer Centre Zagreb recognises the value of the project and we look forward to its positive impact on their quality of life,'' said Nina Butic Ivankovic, Executive Director of the Volunteer Centre Zagreb.

We're all aware that nothing can replace contacts and socialising in person, but thanks to technology, in moments when we can't be together, older and more vulnerable members of our society can open their doors to the digital world and remove their sense of loneliness and isolation and replace it with digital connectivity and inclusion.

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Tuesday, 8 December 2020

Significant Croatian Telecom Investment Increases Connectivity

December the 8th, 2020 - Croatian Telecom/Hrvatski Telekom (HT), the largest private investor in the digitalisation of the Republic of Croatia, has started implementing the most modern optical infrastructure in the area of ​​the city of Porec and its suburbs, and this hefty Croatian Telecom investment is sure to please many.

As Novac writes, this latest Croatian Telecom investment stands at an enormous 2.5 million kuna, and about 1,100 households in Porec's city centre will have the opportunity to enjoy gigabit speeds, and the realisation of this investment is planned to be completed in the first half of 2021.

A Croatian Telecom investment of an additional two million kuna on top of the above will enable the inclusion of vectoring and supervectoring technology, which will enable 100 Mbit / s internet speeds for 2,100 households in the areas of Varvari, Buici and Musalez by the end of 2020, CT announced.

With a superior experience of home internet connection, distance learning and enjoying entertainment such as gaming, the implementation of this project will improve the use of advanced digital products and services such as e-Citizens, e-schools, e-health, e-parking and other smart city projects being rolled out. High speeds and the availability of the Internet all over will also improve the tourist offer of this Istrian city and contribute to the further development of entrepreneurship and economic activity.

Back in September, Croatian Telecom signed a grant agreement with the Ministry of Regional Development and EU Funds and the Central Agency for Financing and Contracting of EU Programmes and Projects for a broadband infrastructure development project in the City of Porec and the municipalities of Funtana, Kastelir-Labinci. Sveti Lovrec, Tar-Vabriga, Tinjan, Visnjan, Vizinada and Vrsar.

Within this EU project, CT and its project partner, the City of Porec, will build a new generation broadband network infrastructure on the project's spatial scope, so that broadband access will be provided to 11,189 potential users (apartments, business and public users) at the identified 7,979 addresses. Access speeds of at least 100 Mbit / s symmetrically connected to the optics (ultrafast access) will be provided for 90 percent of households and business and public users.

The project implementation period runs from the 31st of January 2021 to the 30th of September 2023, and the total value of the project stands at a massive 68,596,456.66 kuna, of which grants in the amount of 27,924,952.44 kuna have been awarded.

''Croatian Telecom is continuing to invest in optical infrastructure even during these challenging times, and I'm glad that fast and quality Internet access will enable the entire community of the City of Porec to increase its economic activity and the quality of life of its citizens. At the beginning of next year, we'll will start implementing an EU project that will provide a quality optical infrastructure with its project partner, the City of Porec, in the area of ​​Porec and all of its surrounding municipalities,'' said Boris Drilo, a member of CT's Management Board for Technology and Information Technology.

''As mayor, I welcome this valuable investment that will ensure the fastest and highest quality telecommunications network for citizens and visitors to Porec with open arms. In addition, we're working on a large broadband internet project for the entire Porec region, which will provide areas with fixed optics for faster internet. As a city, we're striving to constantly work on projects that will further improve quality of life here. Along with all other investments - such as the construction of schools, kindergartens, roads, drainage - today, quality and fast internet can really help us to have the best possible everyday life and offer for guests. I'm sure that through this investment, we'll make a big step in that direction as well,'' concluded Loris Persuric, the mayor of Porec.

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Tuesday, 3 November 2020

Croatian Telecom Mobile Network Among World's Top Ten Fastest

As Poslovni Dnevnik writes on the 2nd of November, 2020, Ookla, a global leader in applications, data and analysis for fixed broadband and mobile network testing, has recognised Hrvatski Telekom/Croatian Telecom mobile network as one of the ten fastest mobile networks in the world in the year 2020.

This impressive ranking of the Croatian Telecom mobile network is based on Ookla’s analysis of millions of tests run by users across each network to test Internet speed using a variety of applications on the web and mobile platforms. Speedtest awards for leading network providers are determined using a Speed ​​Score tool that includes measuring the network speed of each service provider (download and transfer) to rank network speed performance.

Back in July, for the second year in a row, Croatin Telecom received as many as two Ookla awards - for the fastest mobile network in the Republic of Croatia and for the best mobile coverage. In addition to that, Croatian Telecom also received the award for the best mobile network and for the best broadband coverage based on an international analysis conducted by umlaut (formerly P3).

This year, the Croatian company was the first in all of Croatia to start commercial operation of the 5G network, which is the foundation of the future technological development of the economy and society. The commercial 5G network is based on Dynamic Spectrum Sharing (DSS) technology, the application of which enables the current use of existing frequencies for 5G. Dynamic spectrum sharing technology enables the rapid implementation of a 5G network and reduces the need for new base stations and locations on specific 5G frequencies.

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Friday, 25 September 2020

Croatian Telecom Wins Title of Best Croatian Mobile Network Again

As Poslovni Dnevnik writes on the 24th of September, 2020, a large independent analysis conducted by the international technology company Umlaut is the latest confirmation that Croatian Telecom is the best Croatian mobile network. Until now, Umlaut was known on the Croatian market as P3. "Best in Test" as the highest recognition and the highest "Best Rated Broadband Coverage" rating confirm the leading position of Croatian Telecom on the market.

Detailed analysis of user measurement data is based on 44.5 million samples collected by 14.2 thousand users in 98.2 percent of the inhabited area of ​​Croatia, or 97.4 percent of the area of ​​the territory of Croatia which has been built on, covered by this Croatian mobile network. The analysis was conducted over a six-month period, from January to July 2020.

"Croatian Telecom is focused on providing customers with the best mobile network and service, and we're proud of the Umlaut certificate and the fact that experts and users recognise us as the best Croatian mobile network. Over the last few months, society has become aware of the importance of digital infrastructure and a stable and reliable network.

The recognition we receive and the positive user experience are a reflection of our commitment to the continuous investment, expansion and upgrade of our mobile network and we aren't going to just stop there, we'll continue to further improve our infrastructure,'' said Boris Drilo, a member of the management board and Chief Technology Officer at Croatian Telecom.

In 2020, for the second year in a row, Croatian Telecom won two Ookla awards once again - for the fastest Croatian mobile network and for the best mobile network coverage, achieving significantly better results in mobile download speeds than other mobile operators in Croatia.

Due to the continuous modernisation of this Croatian mobile network, the company is ready for 5G and intensive preparatory works are being carried out while waiting for the start of commercial work after the allocation of the required radio frequency spectrum.

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Wednesday, 23 September 2020

Generation NOW: Croatian Telecom Invests in Education for Future Jobs

As Poslovni Dnevnik writes on the 22nd of September, 2020, this year, Croatian Telecom/Hrvatski Telekom has been providing financial support to educational institutions and donating equipment for the development of creative STEM projects, and the Institute for Youth Development and Innovation has been provided with comprehensive professional support. Meet Generation NOW.

Croatian Telecom is continuing to invest in future STEM experts and recently opened applications for the new Generation NOW donation tender. Through this year's donation tender, the company is investing 700,000 kuna in the development of the STEM area in the Republic of Croatia and continuing on with its successful cooperation with its long-term partner, the Institute for Youth Development and Innovation (IRIM).

The tender runs from September the 22nd to October the 5th, 2020, and all educational institutions and non-profit institutions that promote the STEM field can apply through the online form. The selected institutions will have the support of IRIM experts for the entire duration of the programme, while Croatian Telecom will donate the most modern equipment for creating creative Internet of Things projects, free internet access with free data traffic and a financial donation.

"The acquisition of new skills not only encourages personal and professional growth but also makes progress possible. By acting in the present and empowering our children, through Generation NOW, together we create a better tomorrow. I'm extremely proud that Croatian Telecom has invested more than four million kuna into STEM education over the last four years, but we're primarily proud of the fact that we encourage the development of STEM competencies in Croatia from an early age and help children and young people build a better future for themselves personally and for society as a whole. Thanks to this, more than 300 educational institutions participate in our programme, and more than 2,200 creative, dedicated and knowledge-seeking young minds are one step closer to realising their dreams and their full potential. Although this is a very challenging year for all of us, right now it is even more important to support and involve young people in areas that will open up countless opportunities for them,'' said Kostas Nebis, President of Croatian Telecom on the occasion of another major investment in STEM education.

Generation NOW is being implemented with the aim of providing the most modern forms of education to young people so that they, with the help of the latest technology, develop their creativity and innovation, and this year it is held under the auspices of the Ministry of Science and Education. The novelty of this year's programme is IRIM's interactive educational web portal Izradi! where a free course on Arduino is available to everyone, an extremely important technology for the STEM area that will be used in education. The Generation NOW programme will be held again this year, if the epidemiological situation allows for it, in the premises of selected institutions throughout Croatia, and interactive materials will additionally help programme participants in acquiring knowledge and creating their own projects. As the entire educational programme is online, it will be available to all other institutions, but also to individuals interested in improving their own STEM knowledge and skills.

On the occasion of the opening of the fifth Generation NOW donation competition, Paolo Zenzerovic, IRIM Business Manager, stated: ''This year, the Institute for Youth Development and Innovation is continuing its successful long-term cooperation with Croatian Telecom by including 50 new institutions and supporting previously involved institutions. Through this project, we're educating mentors in primary and secondary schools and associations for the use of Arduino - the world's most famous platform for the implementation of do-it-yourself projects in the field of electronics, automation, robotics and engineering in general. Together with their mentors, students create their own projects while developing competencies in the field of STEM and other digital skills needed to work and live in today's digital world,'' he concluded.

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