Unnamed retailer set to become Romania’s first MVNO

An unnamed Romanian retail chain is expected to launch later this year as Romania’s first mobile virtual network operator (MVNO), Ziarul Financiar reports. The report quotes Marian Velicu, general manager of Verdi Systems, a company that provides the necessary technical platform required by MVNOs and mediates negotiations with operators. Velicu, a former senior director of regulatory, legal and corporate affairs at Vodafone Romania, indicated that the retailer is currently in advanced negotiations with Cosmote Romania, Orange Romania and Vodafone over terms for leasing infrastructure. Velicu estimates that the initial cost of launching an MVNO in Romania is around EUR200,000 (USD260,298), and tips the would-be entrant for success on account of its nationwide distribution network and existing promotional tools.