Last week, Cosmote Romania announced expanding 4G coverage for its own network in Romania, covering 40% of the urban population. with 4G coverage for 19 cities in the country and 90% from Bucharest, Cosmote Romania offers the possibility to surf the internet in 4G at speeds up to 150 Mbps, with an upload speed of up to 50 Mbps, this being the standard for all mobile phone operators in our country. Regarding dedicated 4G subscriptions, Cosmote Romania offers customers Cosmote Free L or Free XL subscriptions, the rest of the subscribers who pay a minimum of €9 can activate a named extra option Connect Extension+.
In the press release below you have the list of those 19 cities for which Cosmote offers 4G coverage at the moment, it should theoretically be 90% for them, the network will be extended in the future to other cities in the country. You can find details about 4G coverage at Orange here, and for Vodafone you can find it here.
COSMOTE Romania is expanding the 4G network, as part of the strategic focus on infrastructure development
Bucharest, April 3, 2014
As a result of the entry into force of licenses in the new spectrum starting on April 6, COSMOTE Romania announces that the 4G network has reached 90% of the territory and population in Bucharest, as well as in 19 other cities, covering approximately 40% of the inhabitants of the urban environment. Along with the capital, the 4th generation technology currently covers Bacau, Botoșani, Brăila, Predeal, Buzău, Cluj-Napoca, Constanta, Galati, Iasi, Bragadiru, Jilava, Otopeni, Baia Mare, Piatra Neamț, Busteni, Ploiesti, Sinaia, Satu Mare and Suceava. The new spectrum allows download speeds of up to 150 Mbps and upload speeds of up to 50 Mbps. The network capacity for 300 Mbps is currently being tested by COSMOTE, being a natural step in the company's effort to win the race for Internet speed.
In parallel with the investments in the 4G network made by COSMOTE, Romtelecom ensures massive coverage with fiber-based technologies, providing connections with speeds up to 1 Gbps for the most demanding customers and delivering complete fixed-mobile services.
With 4G data services available at full capacity, COSMOTE customers can experience HD video quality, listen to online music, upload photos and files much faster through apps or various online activities that require fast response and stable connection, such as network games. Strategic partnerships, such as the one with WhatsApp, remain a priority that generate high adoption rates and enrich the communication style of consumers.
“COSMOTE was the first operator to demonstrate the speed of 150 Mbps in April 2013. Already talking about download speeds of 300 Mbps, we are witnessing a new proof of the amazing pace of technological evolution. The new spectrum gives us the opportunity to bring communication services based on advanced technologies with the aim of meeting all customer demands. By the end of the year, we plan to double our current 4G coverage, and by 2015 we will further step up our investments based on increasing consumer demand and smartphone penetration, reaching 4% 4G/100G+ coverage from the relevant urban areas. COSMOTE joins forces with Romtelecom by investing more than 170 million euros, most of which will be allocated to network optimization, as part of the strategy to deliver innovative, reliable and complete services", said Bob Konstantinidis, Director Operations and Technology Executive, Romtelecom and COSMOTE Romania.
All new and existing customers who have a compatible SIM and device can enjoy 4G speeds in covered areas if they choose a COSMOTE Free L or COSMOTE Free XL subscription. Existing customers, who already have another tariff plan from the COSMOTE Free portfolio with a monthly price higher than 8,8 euros (VAT included), can opt for the extra option Connect Extension+ for only 5 euros/month (VAT included).
The 4G terminals available in COSMOTE Romania's smartphone portfolio are BlackBerry Z10 (999 RON, VAT included), HTC One 32GB (849 RON, VAT included), HTC One Mini (579 RON, VAT included), iPhone 5 16GB (1.599 RON, VAT included), iPhone 5C 16GB (RON 1.499, VAT included), iPhone 5S 16GB (RON 1.999, VAT included), LG G2 (RON 799, VAT included), Nokia Lumia 625 (RON 1, VAT included), Samsung Galaxy Note 3 (1.858 RON, VAT included), Samsung Galaxy S3 i9305 (919 RON, VAT included), Samsung Galaxy S4 i9505 (1.099 RON, VAT included), Samsung Galaxy S4 mini i9195 (699 RON, VAT included), any of these terminals together with a COSMOTE Free L subscription (31 euros/month, VAT included) with a 24-month contract. COSMOTE Romania's data customers can also enjoy this experience by using the Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 N8020 tablet (RON 1.439, VAT included), respectively the Connect E3276 (99 lei, VAT included) and Connect MF823 (99 RON, VAT included) modems VAT included), any of these terminals being available together with the Connect Unlimited+ 30 subscription (30,01 euros/month, VAT included) with a signed 24-month contract.
COSMOTE Romania customers also have at their disposal the high-quality 3G data network, with download speeds of up to 43,2 Mbps for mobile Internet in 267 cities and over 4.870 localities in Romania, covering approximately 72% of the population and speeds of up to 21,6 Mbps via HSPA+ technology in the rest of the country. In total, 3G services cover approximately 80% of Romania's population.
