Vodafone Albania
| Company type | Subsidiary |
|---|---|
| Industry | Telecommunications |
| Founded | August 3, 2001 |
| Headquarters | Tirana , Albania |
Area served | Albania |
| Products | Mobile telecommunications, fixed-line services, broadband, pay television |
| Owner | Vodafone Group plc (99.9%) |
Vodafone Albania SH.A stands as a prominent telecommunications company based in Tirana, Albania, operating as a subsidiary of the Vodafone Group.
Technology
Following AMC's market debut in 1996, Vodafone Albania introduced its GSM services on August 3, 2001.
The company took the lead in 2011 by launching 3G technology and was the pioneer in rolling out a nationwide 4G/4G+ network in 2015.
When Plus Communication, the fourth-largest mobile operator in Albania, discontinued services in 2018, Vodafone acquired half of its frequency spectrum together with Telekom Albania (currently known as One Albania).
On February 12, 2019, Albania’s telecommunications regulator AKEP announced Vodafone Albania as the exclusive bidder for a 2×10 MHz segment within the 800 MHz band, with an offer exceeding EUR 7.44 million (USD 8.4 million). This proposal underwent thorough legal, economic, and technical evaluations.
Subsequently, on October 16, 2019, AKEP granted Vodafone permission to conduct 5G trials on the 3600–3700 MHz frequency range. Public demonstrations took place on October 30 with attendance from government representatives including Prime Minister Edi Rama. The commercial launch commenced on November 26, 2024. By August 2025, Vodafone had extended its 5G network coverage to encompass Tirana, Durrës, Fier, Gjirokastër, along with major tourist destinations throughout Albania.
ABCom
On October 29, 2020, Vodafone Albania completed the acquisition of ABCom, the nation’s leading cable operator. This acquisition was consistent with Vodafone Group’s strategic aim to broaden its mobile operations by incorporating broadband and pay television offerings.
This transaction transformed Vodafone Albania into a comprehensive telecommunications provider delivering fixed-line and mobile services alongside television solutions to residential and corporate clients. As of June 2020, ABCom serviced approximately 86,000 broadband subscribers, placing it second after One Albania’s subscriber base of 133,000.
By the first quarter of 2019, Vodafone Albania reported a subscriber total of 3.66 million users, including an active user base of 2.5 million (defined as those who communicated within the preceding three months).
The regulatory body responsible for overseeing telecommunications in Albania is the Electronic and Postal Communications Authority.
| Rank | Operator | Technology | Subscribers
(in millions) |
Ownership | MCC / MNC |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | One Albania
• Incorporates former ALBtelecom Mobile network. |
GSM-900/1800 MHz (GPRS, EDGE)
2100 MHz UMTS, HSDPA, HSUPA, HSPA, HSPA+, DC-HSDPA 800/1800/2600 MHz LTE, LTE-A VoLTE 3400/3500 MHz 5G NR |
1.914 (Q3 2021) | 4iG | 27601
27603 |
| 2 | Vodafone Albania | GSM-900/1800 MHz (GPRS, EDGE)
2100 MHz UMTS, HSDPA, HSUPA, HSPA, HSPA+, DC-HSDPA 800/1800/2100/2600 MHz LTE, LTE-A, LTE-A Pro VoLTE 3400/3800 MHz 5G NR |
1.975 (Q2 2025) | Vodafone Group plc (99.9%) | 27602 |
Economic and social investments
Vodafone Albania has committed more than €1.415 billion to the nation, investing in areas such as infrastructure development, spectrum procurement, regulatory charges, distribution networks, and workforce expansion. Specifically, during 2016 and 2017, the firm dedicated €32 million to enhancing network infrastructure and nearly €16 million toward securing spectrum licenses.
Controversy
In 2017, Vodafone Albania alongside other telecom providers shortened their monthly service packages from 30 days to 28 days. This change prompted intervention by the regulatory Authority, which mandated a reversion to the original 30-day period.
In 2019, following tariff increases of ALL 200 and a doubling of minimum recharge amounts from ALL 100 to ALL 200 by Vodafone Albania, Telekom Albania, and ALBtelecom, the Albanian Competition Authority took action. Consumer dissatisfaction led the Authority to enforce price reductions, which were subsequently implemented by the operators.