Yettel Bulgaria

Yettel Bulgaria (formerly known as Telenor Bulgaria) is the third largest mobile network[4] and the third largest fixed telecommunications company in Bulgaria. The company was founded under the name "Cosmo Bulgaria Mobile" in 2001 by OTE and operated under the brand name "Globul" until 2014. In 2013 it was bought by Telenor and changed its name. In August 2018, the company was acquired by PPF, a Czech private investment fund.[5] The company continued to use the Telenor brand until 1 March 2022, when it was renamed to Yettel Bulgaria. In February 2024, the company was acquired by e& (Etisalat), and the merger was approved by Bulgaria's competition watchdog. However the branding of Yettel has not yet been changed.[6]

History

The company was founded in 2001 by telecommunications corporation OTE

Network

As of 2012, Globul's GSM network covers 99,98% of Bulgaria's population and 99,48% of the country's territory. The company has roaming agreements with over 400 operators in more than 170 countries and territories worldwide.

In 2005, Globul received a license for developing and implementing 3G UMTS mobile telecommunications network as well as a fixed telephony license. 3G services were launched in September 2006 and have since been upgraded to support HSPA+ with speeds of up to 42 Mbit/s download and 5.76 Mbit/s upload.[14] As of December 2012, Globul's UMTS network covers 94,81% of the country's population.

Yettel uses the access code 089. Until 2003, it used the codes 099 and 098, the later having been added as the network had expanded. In mid-2003, however, mobile numbers in Bulgaria increased by one digit (by adding an initial -8-) and the network code changed to 089 only.

Alongside Globul, OTE had also owned one of the two public telephone networks in the country – BulFon, which it sold back to the Bulgarian Telecommunications Company in 2005.[15][16]

After Telenor acquired Globul was made the intent that the whole existing network (both 2G and 3G) shall be rebuilt. Later in a press release it was revealed that Huawei had been selected. In early 2013 the process has already begun. Telenor created a specific webpage that shows in which region and when the network would be rebuilt. The deadline is by mid 2015. Telenor also said that the network that they build would be easily made 4G LTE when the market indicates that it is ready for it.[17]

LTE

Yettel offers 4G services under the LTE standard in the 1,800 MHz band to all of its customers from 1 December 2015 in 53 cities and 2 resorts with coverage to 56.73% of the country's population. Further expansion is expected in 2016, including Bulgaria's popular seaside resorts.[18][19] The maximum speed of the Telenor 4G network is 75 Мbps. The service is initially available in Sofia and most of southern Bulgaria. By mid-December, Telenor's LTE service will cover all Bulgarian cities with a population of more than 20,000, including all regional centres and the most popular winter resorts. [20]

Telenor said it will continue to expand the coverage and the capacity of its LTE network, depending on spectrum availability, further into 2016. Telenor 4G services are available at no additional cost until 31 January 2016 to all customers with 4G-enabled handsets and SIM cards, which are all Telenor SIM cards (including 3in1 SIMs) purchased or replaced in the last several years. Users with older SIM cards will be able to replace them free of charge at any Telenor or official partner shop where a wide variety of 4G-enabled devices is also available after 1 December.[20]

native name	Йеттел България
native name lang	bg
former name	Telenor, Globul
type	LLC
industry	Mobile Telecommunications
foundation	September 17, 2001 (as Globul)
hq location city	Sofia
hq location country	Bulgaria
key people	Jason King, Chairman and CEO‡R1R‡
products	Mobile telephony Internet service provider
revenue	▲ €425 million‡R2R‡
revenue year	2021
num employees	1,900‡R3R‡
num employees year	2022
owner	e& (50%) PPF (50%)
parent	OTE (2001–13) Telenor (2013–18) PPF (2018–2024) e& PPF Telecom Group (2024–present)
website	www.yettel.bg

History

Network

LTE

Other

See also

References

5G