Albania: Mobile Telecoms Market Overview

Overview

Albania’s mobile subscriber statistics covers Vodafone and Cosmote, although Albania now has a third operator, Eagle Mobile, who is not covered here as they only launched on the 13 March in the Durres and Tirana area.

Cosmote

Cosmote’s network, then Albanian Mobile Communications, was launched a GSM 900 in May 1996 and in 2000 Cosmote became the controlling shareholder when Cosmo-Holding Albania acquired an 85% stake in the company for USD 85.6 million (Cosmo-Holding being wholly owned by Cosmote). Cosmote is still the largest network in the country by subscribers, with 1.25 million at the end of March 2008, although Vodafone has caught up to almost the same level despite having been in the market for around half as many years.

Vodafone

Vodafone Albania is owned 51% by Vodafone International Holdings B.V. and 49% by Vodafone Panafon International Holdings B.V. (99.4% of the latter is owned directly and indirectly by Vodafone Group). Its network was launched in 2001 on the GSM 800/1900 standard.

Other Networks

Eagle Mobile, Albania’s third operator went live on the 12 March 2008 using the GSM 900/1800 standard with equipment from Huawei, although a 3G network launch was planned this was delayed, the reason for the delay has not been disclosed, although data cards currently being sold for use on the EDGE network are being advertised as having 3G capability useable when the network is upgraded, indicating that a launch is still planned.