“Contrary to the saturated markets, there is growth potential in Eastern Europe despite the difficult economic environment. Consequently, Kapsch CarrierCom continues its successful internationalization strategy in 2009. In Belarus we have a clear first-mover advantage because the demand is highly technology-driven. Our portfolio helps customer to have a leading position in the competition for content and services“, said Thomas Schöpf, Member of the Kapsch CarrierCom Board of Directors. “Our expansion is far from complete. The next office will be opened in Macedonia shortly“, said Mr. Schöpf.
Market environment in Belarus is very good
The market environment in Belarus is favourable: with more than 3.36 million telephone connections (in early 2007)1, there is also potential in 2009 according to market research. Additionally, the gross domestic product (GPD) in Belarus has increased by 10% between 2007 and 2008. Next to Azerbaijan, this is the second highest GDP increase of the ex-Soviet Republics in 2008. Also, exports were increased by a healthy 35.5%. “We do not see an end to this productivity and export increase yet. This perspective gives us hope for a sustained positive business environment“, said Ms. Yulyana Filazafovitch, FE Kapsch Managing Director. Kapsch CarrierCom will be represented in the Belarusian market with a subsidiary in Minsk.
Ms. Yulyana Filazafovitch, a native of Belarus, knows the market environment very well and her Austrian colleague, Ms. Astrid Kaufmann, a long-term Kapsch Manager brings the industry experience. “In addition to the development of a customer base and distribution channel, we are also focused on comprehensive local customer support. We are planning the implementation of an extensive service structure“, said Ms. Astrid Kaufmann, FE Kapsch Managing Director. “We already have the first large successes in Belarus, for example with FE Velcom, a member of the mobilkom austria group, who has placed an order with Kapsch CarrierCom for the conceptual design and implementation of its MPLS IP backbone network“, explained Ms. Kaufmann. After the first successful MPLS backbone implementation for Mobiltel in Bulgaria, this is the second MPLS network implemented by Kapsch within the mobilkom austria group.
Kapsch CarrierCom is a global manufacturer and independent system integrator of telecommunication solutions for railway operators and providers of access, core and transmission networks. In seven R&D centers in Europe and Asia, Kapsch CarrierCom develops applications and services for next generation networks and innovative OSS/BSS solutions. In addition, Kapsch CarrierCom provides an end-to-end service spectrum, which ranges from consulting, designing, installing and integrating, to maintaining, operating and supporting entire networks.
With 70,000 track-kilometers covered by GSM-R, Kapsch CarrierCom is an internationally recognized specialist and partner for railway operators such as the French railway RFF, the German railway DB and Network Rail in the United Kingdom. In the public operator segment, Kapsch CarrierCom’s customers include service providers such as the companies of the Telekom Austria Group and Chunghwa Telecom in Taiwan. Kapsch CarrierCom is part of the Kapsch Group and has its headquarters in Vienna.