Vodafone eats into Orange and Cosmote retail network

Vodafone, the second largest player on the local mobile telephony market, has made a new acquisition on the local GSM retail market, the third in the last year, by taking over Vegastel 2007 in Botosani, which used to sell Orange, Cosmote and Vodafone services via a 60 – store network. Vodafone thus confirms information published by ZIARUL FINANCIAR on April 8, regarding the takeover negotiations between the operator and Adrian Prodan, 31, owner of the retailer. Prodan’s GSM retail network posted turnover worth 18.5 million euros last year, and 76,000 euros in profit. The deal with Vodafone amounted to around 3 million euros, according to market sources. Vodafone officials specified that the value of the transaction would not be disclosed, whilst Adrian Prodan could not be contacted. Over 50 of the 60 stores sold only Orange services and products, Vegastel being one of the top five biggest selling partners of the largest mobile telephony operator on the market (Orange).