Vodafone Albania

Vodafone Albania: company and ownership

Vodafone Albania SH.A is a telecommunications company headquartered in Tirana, Albania. It operates as part of the Vodafone Group, the multinational telecommunications conglomerate.

The company provides mobile, fixed-line, broadband and television services to both households and businesses in Albania, a range of offerings that expanded significantly following its acquisition of the cable operator ABCom in 2020.

Entry into the Albanian market and GSM launch

Vodafone Albania launched GSM mobile services on 3 August 2001, making it the second operator to offer GSM in Albania after AMC, which had begun GSM services in 1996.

The Albanian telecoms regulator is the Electronic and Postal Communications Authority (AKEP), which oversees licensing, spectrum auctions and compliance across the sector.

3G, 4G and 5G network rollouts

In 2011, Vodafone Albania became the first operator in the country to launch 3G services. Four years later, it was again the first to launch a 4G and 4G+ network in Albania.

On 12 February 2019, AKEP announced the conclusion of the first round of its 800 MHz spectrum auction. Vodafone Albania was the sole bidder, offering just over €7.44 million (approximately USD 8.4 million) for a 2×10 MHz block in the 800 MHz band. AKEP's bid evaluation committee was subsequently tasked with reviewing the accompanying legal, economic and technical documentation.

On 16 October 2019, AKEP authorised Vodafone Albania to test 5G networks on the 3,600–3,700 MHz frequency band. A public test followed on 30 October 2019, attended by state officials including Prime Minister Edi Rama. Full commercial 5G rollout to consumers commenced on 26 November 2024. By August 2025, 5G coverage had been extended across Tirana, Durrës, Fier and Gjirokastër, as well as several tourist destinations.

Acquisition of ABCom and fixed-line expansion

On 29 October 2020, Vodafone Albania agreed to acquire ABCom, described as Albania's largest cable operator. In a press release, the company stated that the transaction was part of Vodafone Group's wider strategy to complement its mobile business with broadband and pay-TV services.

The acquisition allowed Vodafone Albania to become a full-service telecommunications provider, offering fixed and mobile communications alongside television services. At the end of June 2020, ABCom had approximately 86,000 broadband subscribers, placing it behind One Albania (formerly Telekom Albania), which held around 133,000 broadband subscribers at the same date.

Subscribers, market position and total investment

As of the first quarter of 2019, Vodafone Albania reported 3.66 million subscribers in total, of whom 2.5 million were classified as active users. The company defines an active user as one who has made or received communication within the preceding three months.

The company states that it has invested more than €1,415 million in Albania across infrastructure, spectrum, regulatory fees, distribution and human resources. In 2016–17 alone, Vodafone Albania invested €32 million in network infrastructure and approximately €16 million in spectrum acquisitions.

When Plus, which had been the fourth-largest mobile network provider in Albania, ceased operations in 2018, Vodafone agreed to purchase 50 percent of the frequencies previously operated by Plus, alongside Telekom Albania (now One Albania).

Regulatory disputes and pricing controversies

In 2017, mobile operators including Vodafone Albania changed the duration of their monthly packages from 30 days to 28 days. AKEP investigated the change and ordered operators to revert to 30-day billing cycles.

In 2019, the Albanian Competition Authority intervened after Vodafone Albania, Telekom Albania and ALBtelecom each raised tariffs by ALL 200 and doubled the minimum recharge value from ALL 100 to ALL 200. The simultaneous increases across three of the country's principal providers drew strong consumer complaints and were referred to the Competition Authority. Following the authority's instructions, the three companies reduced their prices.