The Israeli company Ceragon Newtworks has invested over USD 1 million in a research and development center located in Bucharest. The telecom firm, which offers wireless fiber and microwave backhaul services to mobile telephony operators and cable suppliers, has already hired 16 Romanian engineers and plans to double its personnel by the end of the year. The investment also comprises the costs of advanced testing and development laboratories.

Ceragon opened its new R&D center in April after having analyzed the possibility of expanding in other countries such as India, China and the Ukraine. “Why Romania? The number one criteria was the effectiveness of the people, as well as their ability to cross cultural borders, ” said Chief Executive Officer and President of Ceragon Networks Ira Palti (in picture)  in a press conference held today (September 11 ). In addition, he said the proximity to the company’s headquarters in Tel Aviv was another key factor that influenced the decision.

Concerning the sales registered in Romania and the development of Romania’s mobile network, Ira Palti said they estimate an increase in the number of subscribers as well as a “huge” increase in the use of smartphones, taking in consideration the fact that “mobile data is exploding.”

However, he admitted that at this point the sales in Romania are “very low” as their main customers are mainly private operators, even though “bandwidth is something all of us consume, almost like food.”

The company is headquartered in Tel Aviv and offers its clients the possibility to deliver 2G, 3G and 4G/LTE services. Ceragon is listed on the NASDAQ and competes with companies such as Ericsson and Huawei, with more than 430 customers in over 130 countries worldwide and over 1200 employees.

Ceragon Networks reported revenues of USD 445 million in 2011 compared to USD 249 million in 2010. Revenues for the first half of 2012 reached USD 237 million, putting the company on course to top last year’s figures.

Iulia Marin

photo source: ceragon.com