ROME-Italian wireless operator Omnitel announced a record increase in customers during 1999 with 4.22 million new subscribers, an increase of 68 percent compared with 1998. The company’s total subscriber base at the end of 1999 stood at more than 10 million.
Bell Atlantic is a founding member of Omnitel and currently owns a 23.1-percent stake in the company.
“As in our other international operations, network and customer care performance levels, innovative services and a strong management team were key drivers in Omnitel’s incredible growth,” said Tom Bartlett, president and chief executive officer of Bell Atlantic International Wireless. “New wireless data, Internet access, and e-commerce services will continue to position Omnitel to capture additional growth in the Italian marketplace for 2000 and beyond.”
Bell Atlantic also announced that between the last day of 1999 and the first day of 2000, Omnitel processed 135 million voice calls and 24 million short message service calls.
