4iG Group, a leading ICT company in Hungary and the Western Balkans, has announced a partnership with tech giant Ericsson for the deployment of a next generation mobile network in Albania after the recent acquisition of 5G frequencies by One Albania, a subsidiary of 4iG.
4iG says that One Albania became the first operator in the country to launch commercial 5G services on 25 November 2024. The new frequencies were acquired for EUR5.4 million (about US$5.6 million) in a competitive spectrum auction. This development is described as fully in line with the 4iG Group pro-investment strategy in Albania and the Western Balkans region.
As Péter Fekete, CEO of 4iG Group, explains, Ericsson has been a long-time technology partner in Albania, one of 4iG’s flagship markets. The scope of the deal between 4iG Group and Ericsson includes mobile radio access and core network investments for 5G standalone (5G SA) technology.
This network investment is valued at over EUR50 million (about US$51.5 million). The rollout process will start by ensuring comprehensive, high-capacity 5G network coverage across key strategic areas, like major ports and airports, industrial zones, critical hospital areas in Tirana, and the most visited coastal hotspots.
It will then continue with the provision of high-capacity midband 5G coverage to all cities of Albania by 2028. The aim is to cover 85% of the country’s population by the end of 2030.
4iG says One Albania has ranked as the country’s best mobile network based on independent benchmarks for many years. The Albanian operator is also known for its fixed broadband offering; it launched 10 Gbit fibre broadband in November 2024.