Orange Romania to launch limited 4G services by the end of the year in Bucharest

Orange Romania will launch 4G services in Bucharest before the end of the year. The new service will be available to clients in the first phase in a few areas of the capital. "4G services will be available in the frequency of 1,800 MHz and will allow higher internet access speeds. The Orange clients will access 4G services via modems that connect to tablets and laptops," said Orange General Manager Jean-Francois Fallacher. Orange Romania stumped up EUR 227 million at the ANCOM auction for two blocks in the 800 MHz band, another two in the 900 MHz band, four blocks in the 1800 MHz band and four blocks in the 2600 MHz band, valid for from January 1 2013 to April 5 2014. The operator's portfolio of licenses for spectrum resources will be 84 percent bigger than at present. "For the obtained licenses, Orange will pay EUR 227 million, as well as investing EUR 100 million within two years for the release of spectra in the 900 MHz frequency. The licensing price wasn’t low, but it was reasonable for the telecom market in Romania," said Fallacher. Orange Romania's business decreased by 4.3 percent, to EUR 94 million (RON 3.98 billion), while the net profit fell by 13.7 percent to EUR 190 million (RON 805.6 million) in 2011. Ioana Toader, ioana.toader@romania-insider.com