telecommunications — english language news service

16.05.2008« [telecommunications — телекоммуникация — telekommunikation]

macedonia — vip mobile users top 163,300 at end-march

Macedonian mobile start-up VIP Mobile, owned by mobilkom of Austria, had signed up 163,300 subscribers by the end of March 2008, a market share of around 8% just six months after launching commercial services in the country. Macedonia’s third mobile operator is competing head-to-head with incumbent cellcos T-Mobile Macedonia (formerly Mobimak) and Cosmote-owned Cosmofon. VIP Mobile launched commercial operations in September 2007 via a national roaming deal with T-Mobile, marking the first new competition in the country since Cosmofon entered the fray in June 2003. Amid much fanfare, the start-up began its foray by offering flat-rate pre-paid plans through more than 2,000 retail outlets across the country. According to a financial statement published by the Austrian owner’s parent group Telekom Austria, VIP Mobile posted revenue of EUR1.80 million (USD2.78 million) in the first three months of this year, operating losses of EUR6.9 million and net losses of EUR6 million.

Source: TeleGeography's CommsUpdate

cosmofone

Founded in 2003, Cosmofon was the second GSM mobile phone operator in Macedonia. The first call through the network of Cosmofon took place on May 16, 2003, and Cosmofon commenced its commercial operation on June 12, 2003. Cosmofon is owned 100% by the Greek Cosmote Group.

mobilkom austria

A subsidiary of Telekom Austria, mobilkom austria has taken the pole position among wireless communications providers in Austria, servicing some 40% of mobile phone users in the country. While voice telephony remains its bread and butter, multimedia messaging is quickly being embraced by mobilkom customers. With Austria's mobile communications market already heavily saturated, mobilkom has begun pursuing new opportunities in southeastern Europe -- through subsidiaries, the company is active in Croatia, Slovenia, and Bulgaria.

telekom austria

Telekom Austria AG is an Austria-based company, operating in the telecommunications sector. The Company operates in two business segments. The Fixed Net segment comprises voice telephony, the business areas of data and information technology (IT) solutions, Internet access, value-added and wholesale services. The Fixed Net segment is represented by the Company&rsqou;s subsidiaries in Austria and in the Czech Republic. The Mobile Communications segment provides switched voice telephony solutions, as well as voicemail, information and entertainment services offered through the Company's Vodafone live portal, mobile Internet access; mobile office solutions; short message services (SMS), and multimedia messaging services (MMS), among others. The Mobile Communication segment is represented by the Company’s subsidiaries in Austria, Bulgaria, Croatia, Slovenia, Liechtenstein. Telekom Austria AG is headquartered in Vienna, Austria.

vip mobile

VIP Mobile is the third mobile network operator in Macedonia. VIP Mobile is a member of the mobilkom austria group. On March 26, 2007, VIP Mobile acquired the license for mobile communications operation from the Agency for Electronic Communications, worth 10 million euro for third mobile operator in Macedonia, after winning on the tender for the 10 year GSM 900/1800 license automatically continued for additional 10 years. The IMSI - Network Code of Vip is 294-03 and the MSISDN Network Codes are 077 (international: +389 77) and 078 (international: +389 78).