Vodafone announces first 4G network in Romania, starts public testing

Romanian telecom operator Vodafone has announced the launch of the 4G network in Romania in 10 cities including capital Bucharest and has started testing in 17 of its own stores across the country. The 4G tehcnology can be tested at speeds up to 75 Mbps on several types of terminals, USB modem, tablet and mobile hotspot. The commercial services under 4G, at speeds of up to 100 Mbps will be launched in the beginning of 2013, with Romania being one of the first European markets where Vodafone has launched the 4G service, after Germany, Portugal and Italy.

Vodafone is the first telecom operator to announce the 4G network in Romania. The launch was attended the Vittorio Colao, CEO Vodafone Group, and included a live demonstration of the 4G technology. Vodafone's 4G network includes 10 cities in Romania: Arad, Bacau, Brasov, Bucharest, Cluj, Constanta, Craiova, Iasi, Galati and Timisoara, where the operator has the highest mobile internet traffic. Vodafone's 4G network in Romania runs on the 1800 MHz frequency band. In Bucharest, the new 4G technology can be tested in the Vodafone store in Afi Palace Cotroceni. Vodafone recently bought more spectra usage rights in Romania, paying EUR 228 million in the auction, for two blocks in the 800 MHz band, two blocks in the 900 MHz band, six blocks in the 1800 MHz band and a block in the 2600 MHz band, valid from 2014 through 2029. Vodafone Romania also won short-term licenses, eight blocks in the 900 MHz and 1800 MHz bands, valid between January 1, 2013 and April 5, 2014. Its new spectrum portfolio is 78 percent larger than previously. editor@romania-insider.com (in picture: Iñaki Berroeta, Chief Executive Officer Vodafone Romania)