MobilRom invested over $500 million in four years

MobilRom’s total investments in developing the Dialog mobile telephony network and launching new services will amount to more than $550 million by the end of the year, operating licence costs ($75 million already paid) exclusive, Bernard Moscheni, general manager of the company, on Tuesday told the news conference celebrating MobilRom’s fourth year in business in Romania.

The company’s investments at the end of last year amounted to more than $450 million, with another $100 million estimated for investments in 2001.

Four years after its launch, the Dialog mobile telephony service has reached 1,360,000 subscribers and 93% in coverage.

Since the mobile telephony market in Romania is already mature, the company’s next step is the introduction of the GPRS mobile telephony services, allowing for high speed Internet services and applications to be provided straight on the client’s phone.

The investments scheduled for this goal will amount to $5-$10 million at first, later to gradually increase, given that the new services are estimated to attract corporate clients mainly. The technology will be implemented late this year or early in the next one.

MobilRom Company, in which France Telecom holds 67.8%, will be included in the Orange group next year, and therefore change its name into Orange Romania at that time.

This means tariffs and services similar to the ones operated by the member companies in addition to international advertising.

Orange is made up of mobile companies from 20 countries (Itineris/Ameris-France, Orange-Great Britain, Dutchtone-Holland, Orange-Switzerland, Mobistar-Belgium, Globtel-Slovakia, Mobilix-Denmark, Wind-Italy, as well as Optimus-Portugal, Connect/One-Austria, MobilCom-Germany) in which France Telecom holds stakes.

Effective June 9, the Dialog Free service adds one more hour to the period allowed for the 120 free call minutes, which are now available between 21.00-07.00.

Moreover as of June 1, the ALO and ALO 3D packages cost $19.99 compared with $25, while rechargeable cards provide 15% more units for the same price, MobilRom announced during the festivity.

“MobilRom already has an Orange participation, as there are shares belonging to the group. In MobilRom’s case, the change in name will most likely occur next year or even sooner.

Until then, major changes have to be made, not only in logistics, but in general, as to provide better services to the clients,” Bernard Moscheni added.