“We are only in the early stages with selling data services, so I am optimistic because the affordable prices of voice and data services mean Romania now has all the features of a market that can create value both for consumers and for operators,” Colao, 51, told ZF.
At the end of last year, only 15 out of 100 Romanians were using mobile internet through 3G or higher, according to data provided by the telecom regulatory agency.
The current challenge facing operators is to persuade users who don’t yet have a smartphone or a tablet to buy one and activate data services.
Under the circumstances, the investment in licenses and in the 4G network can be rewarding, Colao said.
“If each customer spent a few euros more on data services, [the 4G network] could be a good investment,” said the head of the Vodafone group.
The Vodafone group, no. 2 on the Romanian mobile phone market, announced on Wednesday that it already had a working 4G network in 10 cities across Romania, which it will expand next year.
(English version by Daniela Stoican)