Romtelecom to invest €190 mln in data network development

“Last year, we invested €200 million in infrastructure, and will invest €190 million this year. Currently, we are the second-largest data provider for business clients in Romania, with Vodafone as leader, but we aim to become the first by the end of the year,” Makowski said.

The value of investments established for this year is €170 mln. The remainder, up to €190 mln, will depend on projects to be implemented in several stages, to be approved this year, according to Romtelecom’s Communication Manager, Cristina Popescu.

In the past three years, the operator invested a total €500 mln in developing its network to provide internet services.

“Until last year, we were providing phone lines, internet access, data transfer; now we are providing personalized services, because this is what the market demands. If we fail to do this, Romtelecom will disappear in five years,” Makowski added.

Romtelecom is controlled by Greek telecom group OTE, with 54.01% of shares, and the Romanian state, with 45.99 percent of the share capital. Its main competitors are RCS&RDS and UPC Romania.