ICT Industry
VIP Mobile, Austria
ABOUT VIP MOBILE
- Vip Mobile is an Austrian originating mobile phone venture with presence in Serbia since 2006. Vip mobile operates a strategic partnership with Vodafone, the world's leading international mobile communications group
- Mobilikom Austria the Vip Mobile`s mother company is the leading mobile phone operator in Central and Eastern Europe servicing more than 15.4 million mobile phone users in eight European countries
- The group operates subsidiaries in Austria, Bulgaria, Croatia, Slovenia, Liechtenstein, Serbia, Macedonia, and Belarus.
WHY SERBIA?
- Mobilkom Austria group decided to move in to Serbia after serious research and analysis of the local telecommunications market and its developing potential. VIP Mobile was developed by acquiring the third mobile telephone license in Serbia for GSM and UMTS networks and paying a total of €320 million plus one euro.
- Mobilikom Austria was particularly encouraged after identifying an increasingly favorable business framework in the country already being exploited by 280 Austrian companies with estimated businesses at €2.2 billion
- After moving on the market Vip Mobile invested a total of €99.4 million in the network improvements, acquisition of the latest technology and its implementation, establishing a network of 20 outlets across Serbia, employees education and marketing activities
SERBIA - EXPERIENCE
- Considering a great developing potential of the Serbian telecommunications market, the company will further invest €250 million in networks and infrastructure establishing it as the largest Greenfield investment in Serbia to date.
- Company employs 445 young people within the company and more than 1,500 people indirectly through local partner companies.
- Vip Mobile operates a large network of local partners counting more than 100 Serbian companies providing services in many different areas (construction, ICT, legal, finance, sales, logistics, marketing, and HR) supplying modern equipment, good experts and ability to provide the highest-quality products and services.
- According to Vip Mobile management Serbian Government has a very positive attitude towards foreign investments and remains ready to support new business projects.
FUTURE PLANS
- Vip Mobile will continue to invest in the construction of their network with plans to cover 50% of the population by December 1st, 2008 and reaching the goal of becoming the most user-oriented company in the Telecommunications sector in Serbia.
- Apart from the already existing Blackberry solutions, Vip Mobile will be utilizing on the strategic partnership with Vodafone by launching new products and services in order to attract more customers and establish a firm foothold on the market.
RECOMMENDATIONS
- Serbia offers an extremely good Greenfield investment potential and business developing opportunities that are just waiting to be utilized.
