Telekom Serbia, also Telecom Srbija, the leading telecommunications and broadband provider in the Balkans, is accelerating its international expansion, leveraging strong financial performance, strategic partnerships, and growing media ventures to establish a presence across Europe and now the United States.

The private telecom giant is coming off a record-breaking year, reporting €2.3 billion in revenue and €1.3 billion in operating profit.

These figures underscore its transformation from a regional player into an emerging global contender as it moves to finalize a major loan agreement with the Export-Import Bank.

Under the leadership of CEO Vladimir Lucic, the company has announced several major initiatives he says will help push company revenue above €3 billion as expansion gains momentum.

At the center of this push is a planned entry into the U.S. market this fall.

Lucic described the move as a “grand entrance,” marking a significant milestone for the company. Telekom Srbija already operates an internet-based television service in the U.S., with approximately 20,000 users.

Beginning in September, the company will expand into mobile telephony, operating over AT&T’s network to provide nationwide coverage.

The U.S. expansion reflects years of groundwork.

Lucic noted that Telekom Srbija has spent more than six years strengthening ties with American institutions, including ongoing engagement with the U.S. State Department and Department of Commerce.

These efforts are aimed not only at market entry but also at broader cooperation in areas such as cybersecurity and artificial intelligence.

“America is important to us in many ways,” Lucic said in a recent interview. “Extending cooperation with U.S. companies and institutions means a lot, especially as the U.S. becomes the global center for artificial intelligence development.”

Financial backing has also been key to Telekom Srbija’s growth strategy.

The company maintains relationships with major global financial institutions including Bank of America and JPMorgan.

In a landmark development, Telekom Srbija is finalizing a direct loan agreement for $50 million with the U.S. Export-Import Bank (EXIM), expected to be signed in May.

This will make Telekom Srbija the first telecom operator globally to secure such a partnership with EXIM, particularly for financing 5G infrastructure.

“This is not only important for Telekom, but for Serbia as well,” Lucic said, noting that the involvement of a U.S. state-backed financial institution could help attract additional American investment into the country.

While expanding geographically, Telekom Srbija is also growing its footprint in media and content distribution.

A key component of that strategy is its partnership with Newsmax, one of the U.S.’s leading news organizations and cable channels.

The collaboration has already proven successful in the Western Balkans, where Newsmax Balkans has gained traction.

Building on that success, Telekom Srbija has helped launch Newsmax Poland, including the recent debut of the news portal newsmaxpolska.pl, with plans to roll out a television channel in the near future.

The company is also developing content offerings tailored to U.S.-based customers, further integrating its telecom and media operations.

Lucic expressed pride in the Newsmax partnership, describing it as a model for future collaborations.

“We have shown that we can successfully expand one of the largest international news brands across Europe,” he said, adding that the company aims to replicate this success in other sectors, including artificial intelligence and digital platforms.

Newsmax CEO Chris Ruddy had high praise for Lucic.

“Mr. Lucic is a visionary and builder who made Telecom Serbia into a telecommunications and broadband powerhouse in just a few years,” Ruddy said, adding “he doubled revenues while skyrocketing profits.”

Telekom Srbija’s broader vision positions Serbia as a potential regional hub for technological innovation.

With a relatively flexible regulatory environment compared to the European Union, the country’s President, Aleksandar Vucic, has turned Belgrade into a major investment and technology in East Europe, particularly AI.

As Telekom Srbija continues to scale its operations, its strategy combines infrastructure investment, international partnerships, and content expansion.

The company’s entry into the U.S. market, backed by major financial institutions and government-linked financing, signals a new phase of growth — one that could redefine its role from a regional telecom leader to a global player in communications and media.