Telecom players prepare for 4G launch in Romania

After securing their spectrum resources for the next 15 years, telecom operators in Romania are preparing for the implementation of 4G, which they repeatedly stated as a focal point of interest over the next years.

Top 3 telecom operators in Romania- Orange, Vodafone and Cosmote- have already confirmed in official statements their interest in the launch of 4G services in Romania.

Thus, Orange announced that it will launch 4G services by the end of the year in the 1800 MHz frequency.

“Orange has won all the spectrum needed in all categories. We are planning to start 4G services before the end of this year, pending the approval of the authorities, and starting with April 2014, it will be able to offer 4G services at its highest efficiency. We will start with 4G in Bucharest and then extend it to the rest of the country. We will be launching mass-market services at affordable prices,” said Jean-Francois Fallacher, CEO of Orange Romania.

Orange will pay EUR 227 million for license taxes and will invest an additional EUR 100 million to clear spectrum in the 900MHz frequency over the next two years.

Vodafone Romania also announced a timeframe for 4G launch in its network.

“We are very satisfied with the auction outcome which ensures the spectrum that we need to carry on with our LTE based mobile data strategy. Vodafone will be able to launch 4G services for its customers in early 2013 (…). We already have a testing license for 4G and we will start running tests in our network in the immediate period. At the same time, in view of the long-term commitment we have made by acquiring the spectrum until 2029, we hope that Romanian authorities will ensure a predictable and supportive environment to the industry investments,” said Inaki Berroeta, CEO of Vodafone Romania.

During the auction, Cosmote secured 50 x 2 MHz of spectrum, which is “fully aligned with the company’s auction targets and strategy, able to accommodate the long term network needs for development and capacity for all technologies (2G/3G/4G),” says the company in an official statement.

Before the bidding, RCS&RDS also announced its interest in supplying 4G to its customers. The company was especially interested in spectrum in lower bandwidth of 800 MHz and 900 MHz. “We will certainly want to acquire licenses for the lower frequencies of 800 MHz and 900 MHz,” said Valentin Popoviciu, business development manager in RCS&RDS before the bidding.