Europe : Albania : Eagle Mobile

Eagle Mobile, the newest GSM operator in Albania, was established in October 23rd, 2003 by the Albanian government, as an integral part of Albtelecom (Fixed Telephony Provider in Albania). The privatization began in 2005 and was finalized on 28th of September 2007, when one of the largest corporate in Turkey, Calik Group bought 76% stake, along with its partner Turk Telecom. The other 24% of the shares is owned by the Albanian government. The agreement was signed by the Minister of Economy, Trade and Energy, Mr. Genc Ruli and President of Calik Holding, Mr. Ahmet Calik, in Tirana. In March, the prime ministers of Albania and Turkey, Mr. Sali Berisha and Mr. Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan hailed the first symbolic “phone call” which officially opened the GSM communication of Eagle Mobile, the company which bares the symbol of Albania and Albanians, the Eagle.

Eagle Mobile set a new record, by entering the Albanian telecommunications market in March 12th, 2008. At a very short period of 6 months, Eagle Mobile covered the whole territory of the country exceeding all the speed limits. The company covered on 31st of December 2008, 97% of the country's population and 90.7% of the territory, providing the services throughout the country. Now, more than a year after entering the market, Eagle Mobile scored 560 thousand subscribers. The Company had a great success in the market with ProRing, RiniRing and Life Packages.

RiniRing Package was launched in September 2008. in the same year, some 1000 members of this tariff-program experienced the most outstanding moments in their lives, as they participated in the concert of Pop’s diva Madonna in Budva, Montenegro. This was the biggest international project ever undertaken by a mobile company in Europe. Eagle Mobile was the first to bring the EDGE technology, the fastest mobile Internet service in the 2.5G technology, and now the company has finished the preparation phase of using the last technology 3G with the fastest internet service ever.

Through the Eagle USB modem anyone can be connected to the internet by personal computer anywhere under the coverage of Eagle Mobile. All the clients can now be informed through SMS short messages, for the latest news in the country and world. Every morning can be briefed on the course of foreign exchange or the weather forecast. Eagle Mobile reached in record time having full roaming service. Eagle Mobile has Roaming service in 200 countries with over 470 operators. The shop network throughout Albania raised in record time, Eagle Mobile already offers the latest and modern services.

Recently this company has signed an agreement with Hollywood actor James Belushi, to make the ‘Albanian-American artist Eagle’s new image. He was the first to promote a social initiative of Eagle Company “Send an SMS to Help the Children in Need”. Belushi was the first person who started the initiative by sending a symbolic SMS on this occasion.

In mid-October 2009 the Albanian President Bamir Topi granted to Belushi the Albanian citizenship document in a Gala dinner, organized by Eagle Mobile in Sheraton Tirana Hotel. Well known artist Belushi gave a concert to the Albanian people in Mother Teresa Square one day later.

Eagle Mobile is an Albanian company, is an Albanian brand. 95% of employees are Albanians, and only 5% of them Turkish, Swedish and Czechs. Eagle Mobile has undertaken several projects in the field of social responsibility.

Orphaned children have been under focus of the company in the first days in the market. In the field of social activities, Eagle Mobile supported the spectacle "I love much Albania”, where the country's top personalities and most recognized names in the Albanian world attended. Through the advertising spot “Albania from the Eagle’s Eye", Eagle Mobile showed once again the beauty of Albania. The Albanian Authorities classified as a promotion of Albania’s image in the field of tourism. Eagle Mobile collaborated with the Ministry of Tourism, Culture, Youth and Sports on this promotion.

Institutions trusted Eagle Mobile by declaring this company winner of the tender with the best offer, undertaking mobile services to 8 ministries.
And recently, Eagle Mobile is ready for the third generation technology, 3G, which brings more opportunities and incredible speed in communication, video calls, and accelerated transfer of data through mobile etc.

In the framework of social responsibility, Eagle Mobile launched the project "Support to Business orphaned children", which was supported by 25 other companies in Albania at the request of Eagle Mobile. On May 20, 2009 Eagle Mobile celebrated in the International Orphans Day together with about 100 orphaned children in the Taiwan. In the Children’s Day, on 1 June 2009, Eagle Mobile enabled a four-day-tour to Istanbul for 11 children of Albanian policemen, fallen in their duties. Recently Eagle Mobile has taken another step towards social responsibility. The company awarded 20 full scholarships for orphan children and youngsters for high school and university.