Release of 02.07.2014
- Vip operator with the largest 4G/LTE network on the Macedonian market
- LTE represents a “world of opportunities”
- Gradual rollout of 4G/LTE networks across the Group
- Infrastructure leadership as an important differentiator
The Telekom Austria Group today announced the launch of a 4G/LTE network by its Macedonian subsidiary, Vip operator. Vip operator offers its customers superfast 4G/LTE data services, achieving a tenfold increase in transmission speeds compared to the conventional 3G network. Vip operator currently operates the 4G/LTE network with the largest coverage in the Republic of Macedonia, covering 40% of the population in seven cities.
"We are very proud to be able to offer our customers the latest technology and all related innovative services. The introduction of 4G/LTE services marks another important milestone in the company's race for innovation and superior customer experience. At the same, it helps us further improve our competitiveness in the market," said Nikola Ljushev, CEO Vip operator.
"LTE represents a 'world of opportunities' and acts as a major catalyst for future app developments and data traffic growth, thus playing a central role for the telecommunications industry at large. Against this backdrop and in line with our technology strategy, the Telekom Austria Group strives to become a leader in this area. The rollout of 4G/LTE technology marks an important step for the further development of our markets, enabling our customers to access the latest technologies and meet all of their multimedia requirements," pointed out Günther Ottendorfer, CTO Telekom Austria Group.
In Austria, the Telekom Austria Group already operates the largest 4G/LTE network in the country, which covers all provincial capitals and several urban centers. At present, the A1 4G/LTE network reaches one third of the Austrian population in terms of coverage. To date, 4G/LTE services have also been made available by the following group subsidiaries: Si.mobil in Slovenia (launched in Ljubljana, Maribor and Bled), by Vipnet in Croatia (the 4G/ LTE network has been rolled out in seven major cities and several additional areas so far) as well as by Vip operator in the Republic of Macedonia (with a current population coverage of 40%). Thus, the rollout of the 4G/LTE network across its operating markets emphasizes once again the Group's infrastructure leadership as an important differentiator.
The 4G/LTE technology is particularly well-suited to support high data speeds required by multimedia and streaming applications, as well as for fast data transfer via mobile networks. Vip operator's 4G/LTE network will provide up to 100 Mpbs download speeds. The speed that each individual customer will experience will mainly depend on a number of factors including the selected tariff option, the characteristics of the hardware as well as the actual overload of the 4G/LTE network. In addition to enabling considerable transmission speeds, the 4G/LTE technology provides a real-time user experience while surfing, which represents an additional benefit compared to previous mobile technologies. For the time being, Vip operator's 4G/LTE network will be exclusively made available to postpaid customers and only for mobile data. Voice traffic will be automatically transferred to the 3G/2G networks, when making a voice call.
In summer 2013, Vip operator acquired one of the three available LTE frequency blocks within the framework of a public frequency auction carried out by the Macedonian Agency for Electronic Communications. Total costs for the auctioned frequency spectrum amounted to EUR 10.3 million. The license has a validity of 20 years. The acquired spectrum in the 800-MHz and 1800 MHz frequency ranges will allow Vip operator to provide 4G/ LTE services across the country.
More Information on Vip operator can be found under Republic of Macedonia.