Record Investments in Accelerated Infrastructure Construction and Modernization

Behind A1 Hrvatska is a record year in terms of investments and infrastructure construction. The company invested over 200 million euros in 2023, the highest since it began operations in Croatia. This has primarily reflected in the accelerated construction of fixed gigabit connections and the modernization of the mobile network, elevating the user experience to an even higher level.

On the largest gigabit fixed network in Croatia, commercial speeds of 2 Gbps are available with premium equipment – WiFi 6 routers and mesh devices that ensure every corner of the home is covered with a quality WiFi signal. In 2023, 140 thousand gigabit optical connections were built across Croatia. The infrastructure equipment being installed as part of the modernization in the A1 optical network already supports speeds of up to 50 Gbps and is ready for all future user needs. As many as 800 thousand Croatian households have access to an A1 gigabit connection, and with the continuation of accelerated construction, by 2025, it will cover one million households. This means that 70 percent of Croatian households will have access to gigabit internet. Additionally, A1 Hrvatska, with the help of EU funds, has built an optical network for 45 thousand households in the wider area of Kaštela, Ivanić-Grad, and Solin. Solin is the first Croatian city fully covered by an optical network built with the help of EU funds. This project was also recognized by the European Commission, which awarded A1 Hrvatska the EU Broadband Award as a leader in building a very high-capacity network.

With an investment of 109.28 million euros at a public auction for the issuance of licenses for the use of radio frequency spectrum, long-term resources have been secured that are the basis for ambitious growth plans and investments in the development of mobile services over the next 15 years. The modernization and construction of the mobile 5G network covers 92 percent of the population. Energy-efficient radio equipment, using frequency spectrum in the bands of 700, 800, and 900 MHz on a single radio amplifier, has ensured quality 5G coverage while simultaneously optimizing electricity consumption. Solar panels and innovative free cooling systems have been implemented at more than 200 base stations, saving nearly 2 GWh of electricity.

– The foundation for providing all services and the highest level of user experience is significant investment and modernization of network and IT infrastructure – explains Vladimir Skender, Chief Network Officer of A1 Hrvatska.

– We want our users to surf on a completely green network by 2030, which is why we are developing and implementing innovations that reduce carbon footprint – adds Skender.

A1 Hrvatska has so far reduced its own CO2 emissions by 76 percent through various infrastructure modernization initiatives and greening the network. It is on the right track to achieve the ambitious goal of the Telekom Austria Group – net zero CO2 emissions by 2030.