Moldcell

Moldcell is a mobile telecommunications brand and network operator serving Moldova. It began commercial activity in 2000 and developed into one of the country’s principal providers of mobile voice, messaging, mobile internet, subscription and prepaid services. Its network has operated across GSM, UMTS and LTE standards, enabling the company to participate in successive generations of mobile connectivity in the Moldovan market. The company opened its first sales office in Chișinău on April 28, 2000. During its first year it introduced SMS services and a prepaid package, helping establish mobile communications as a consumer service in Moldova. Its early brand identity used a friendly deer motif and the slogan “Waiting for us? Here we are?”. Over subsequent years, Moldcell expanded beyond basic mobile telephony through customer-service infrastructure, electronic payments, accessibility-oriented services, mobile health initiatives, mobile signature support and broader data connectivity. Moldcell’s network development included the commercial launch of 3G services in 2008 and a first video call on its network during the same year. In 2012, it became the first operator in Moldova to launch 4G services. The company also contributed technical experience to Moldova’s introduction of mobile signature services and launched mHealth offerings under the mSănătate name. In 2013, it introduced the “Born in Moldova” communication platform, supported national number portability and offered an option with unlimited national calls. Its consumer portfolio includes prepaid Moldcell Card offers, subscription plans, the #bum community proposition and mobile internet packages marketed under Internet ca lumea. These services combine domestic voice and messaging allowances with data, social-network access, roaming or international-use features depending on the offer. Moldcell also serves corporate customers through Moldcell Business, which provides communications, messaging, telemarketing, telesales, transport-management and related support solutions. Ownership changed in 2020. Telia Company announced in February that it would sell all of its shares in Moldcell to CG Cell Technologies DAC, a company wholly owned by Nepalese conglomerate CG Corp Global. The transaction was completed on March 25, 2020, making CG Cell Technologies DAC Moldcell’s official owner. Moldcell subsequently remained an active operator in Moldova and has been described in reference material as serving more than one million subscribers. The brand also organizes philanthropic and social-development work through the Moldcell Foundation, which consolidates the company’s charitable and social initiatives. Its market role therefore extends beyond retail connectivity to enterprise services, digital access, network infrastructure and selected social-impact programs.

Moldcell opened its first sales office in Chișinău on April 28, 2000, and began commercial operations during the same year. Its initial consumer milestones included the introduction of SMS in Moldova and the launch of a prepaid package. The early brand used a deer symbol and a welcoming slogan, establishing a recognizable local identity as mobile communications expanded. By its fifth anniversary, Moldcell had introduced a 24-hour customer call center, accessible through a short mobile number and a fixed-line number. In 2006, it launched Alocard Alternativ, a service designed for people with hearing impairments and based on text and internet communication with specialized customer support. In 2007, Moldcell became the first mobile operator in Moldova to accept electronic payments. The use of electronic payments grew substantially over the following years. The company expanded its network capabilities in 2008 by commercially launching 3G services and completing what it described as the first video call on its network. Its connection with TeliaSonera, later Telia Company, placed Moldcell within a wider Nordic-Baltic telecommunications group during the period when advanced mobile networks were being developed internationally. In 2012, Moldcell introduced commercial 4G service in Moldova and became the country’s first 4G operator. It also launched mSănătate, an mHealth service aimed at groups including pregnant women and young mothers. Moldcell contributed experience to Moldova’s introduction of mobile signature services in 2012, drawing on relevant experience associated with telecommunications operations in the Baltic region. In 2013, the company launched the “Born in Moldova” communication platform, participated in the national introduction of number portability and offered an option with unlimited national calls. Number portability increased competitive mobility among subscribers, while the new tariff proposition broadened the company’s consumer offer. In 2014, Moldcell acquired licenses for radio-frequency resources in the 800, 900 and 1800 MHz bands for public mobile communications networks. The licenses were granted for 15 years. The company also became a partner of MiLab, an innovation laboratory in Moldova involving public, private and nonprofit participants. During this phase, Moldcell continued expanding broadband and 4G availability across cities and other populated areas. Moldcell’s portfolio developed into several distinct consumer and business categories. Cartelă Moldcell provides prepaid access without a contractual monthly obligation. Abonament Moldcell provides subscription-based voice, messaging, data and selected roaming or international-use benefits. The #bum community proposition is built around community calling, social-network access and included national communication allowances. Internet ca lumea covers mobile internet and connectivity through routers and modems, including 3G and LTE access. Moldcell Business serves corporate customers with communications, bulk messaging, telemarketing, telesales, transport-management and related support services. The company established the Moldcell Foundation to bring its philanthropic and social-development initiatives under a unified structure. These initiatives complement its commercial role as a national connectivity provider. In February 2020, Telia Company announced the sale of its entire Moldcell holding to CG Cell Technologies DAC, which is wholly owned by CG Corp Global. Completion took place on March 25, 2020. Moldcell thus moved from Telia ownership into the CG Corp Global group while continuing operations as a Moldovan mobile network operator.

1. 2020Ownership transferred to CG Cell Technologies

   CG Cell Technologies DAC completed its acquisition of Moldcell from Telia Company.

   Source
2. 2014Spectrum licenses acquired

   Moldcell acquired licenses covering the 800, 900 and 1800 MHz frequency bands for mobile communications.

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3. 2013Number portability and Born in Moldova platform

   Moldcell introduced the “Born in Moldova” communications platform and supported national number portability.

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4. 2012First Moldovan 4G launch

   Moldcell became the first mobile operator in Moldova to offer commercial 4G service.

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5. 20083G commercial service

   The operator commercially launched 3G and completed an early video call on its network.

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6. 2007Electronic payments introduced

   Moldcell became the first mobile operator in Moldova to accept electronic payments.

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7. 2006Accessibility-oriented Alocard Alternativ service

   Moldcell introduced a text- and internet-based plan with specialized support for people with hearing impairments.

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8. 200524-hour call center introduced

   The company launched continuous customer-call-center service around its fifth anniversary.

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9. 2000Commercial launch in Moldova

   Moldcell opened its first Chișinău sales office, began commercial operations, introduced SMS and launched a prepaid package.

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A broad-service Moldovan mobile operator combining prepaid and subscription connectivity, mobile broadband, enterprise communications and digital-service initiatives.

• Cartelă MoldcellPrepaid mobile services2000

  A prepaid proposition allowing customers to use Moldcell mobile services without signing a contract or paying a recurring monthly fee. It represents the operator’s flexible, lower-commitment consumer segment.

• #bumCommunity mobile tariff

  A community-oriented offer providing unlimited calls within the #bum community, social-network access and bundled national minutes, SMS and internet traffic.

• Abonament MoldcellPostpaid mobile services

  Moldcell’s subscription portfolio combines on-net calling, national minutes, internet access and selected international or roaming uses. It is aimed at customers seeking recurring plans rather than prepaid service.

• Internet ca lumeaMobile broadband

  A mobile-internet family covering data packages and internet access through routers and modems over 3G and LTE networks.

• Moldcell BusinessEnterprise telecommunications

  A business-services portfolio supporting corporate and institutional customers with communications, information lines, telemarketing, telesales, bulk SMS, transport-management and related solutions.

• mSănătateMobile health services2012

  An mHealth initiative introduced for several beneficiary groups, including pregnant women and young mothers, extending mobile connectivity into health-related information and support.

• 2013Born in Moldova

  Moldova

  Moldcell launched the “Born in Moldova” communication platform as part of its local-market brand activity.

  Source

• 2020Sale from Telia Company to CG Cell TechnologiesM&A

  Telia Company announced the divestment of its Moldcell holding in February 2020 as part of an ownership transition.

  What changed. CG Cell Technologies DAC acquired all shares held by Telia Company; completion occurred on March 25, 2020.

  Aftermath. Moldcell became part of the CG Corp Global group and continued operating in Moldova.

  Source
• 2014Acquisition of additional spectrum licensesStrategy

  The operator sought additional radio-frequency resources to support public mobile communications networks and future coverage capacity.

  What changed. Moldcell acquired licenses for the 800, 900 and 1800 MHz bands, each with a 15-year term.

  Aftermath. The licenses supported continued network development and expansion of mobile coverage.

  Source
• 2012Launch of commercial 4G servicesProduct launch

  Moldcell was expanding beyond earlier GSM and 3G services as mobile data demand and next-generation network capabilities developed.

  What changed. The company commercially launched 4G service and became the first 4G operator in Moldova.

  Aftermath. The launch positioned Moldcell as an early leader in Moldova’s mobile broadband transition.

  Source

• 2020Telia announces sale of Moldcell to CG Cell Technologies

  Telia Company announced the sale of its entire shareholding in Moldcell to CG Cell Technologies DAC, a company wholly owned by CG Corp Global.

  M&A
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• 2020CG Cell Technologies completes acquisition of Moldcell

  The ownership transaction was completed on March 25, 2020, after which CG Cell Technologies DAC became Moldcell’s official owner.

  M&A
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• 2013Moldcell introduces national number portability and unlimited-calling offer

  The operator supported the introduction of national mobile number portability and launched an offer with unlimited national calls.

  Product launchRegulation
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• 2012Moldcell launches commercial 4G service in Moldova

  Moldcell became the first mobile operator in Moldova to introduce commercial 4G services.

  Product launchProduct generation
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1. Moldcell