Vodafone invests tens of million EUR in UMTS 900Mhz network

Vodafone has invested tens of millions of EUR, representing reinvested profit, in developing its 3G national network in the frequency UMTS 900 MHz, according to Liliana Solomon, CEO of Vodafone Romania. The firm has thereby become the first operator in Romania and Europe to launch these services. The president of the national telecom regulator (ANCOM), Catalin Marinescu, said this launch was very important since it places Romania in the top ranks of Europe and also creates the premise for the significant growth of mobile internet in Romania.

“While five years ago we launched the first 3G services in Romania, today we are glad to announce the availability of mobile internet for 90 percent of the Romanian population, at speeds of up to 21.6 Mbps. Our new UMTS 900 MHz was developed over the last year following a significant investment, using a solution which is unique in the world in the way it combines GSM and UMTS technologies,” said Solomon.

The network was developed by Vodafone in partnership with Huawei. It covers 12,158 locations with speeds of up to 7.2 Mbps. Coverage includes more remote towns such as Vama Veche, Sulina, Cabana Balea, Salina Praid, Semenic peak, Parang ski slope, Agapia, Cheile Bicazului, Paltinis and Transfagarasan. In 16 cities, however, the company offers mobile net services at speeds of up to 21.6 Mbps. Customers can see if a certain place falls within the coverage area by accessing the map available online at www.vodafone.ro/acoperire.

Vodafone made the decision to invest in this network due to its conviction that mobile data services will continue to grow. Some 90 percent of Vodafone modems are compatible with the expanded network while customers who do not have compatible modems can replace them free of charge, with the renewal of their contract.

The operator also launched on the same day the Vodafone Internet Card, a prepay data card which targets mainly occasional users of mobile data