In just five years, the company has transformed Hungary’s mobile backbone, introduced AI-powered operations, and delivered the country’s first multi-operator 5G indoor coverage. The Budapest-based infrastructure specialist was formed in July 2020 during the legal separation of Yettel Hungary (formerly Telenor), when it took over the operator’s active and passive network elements.
Since then, Cetin has grown rapidly, both in size and strategic scope, becoming a critical enabler of next-generation mobile services across Hungary. With a workforce of approximately 230 professionals and a customer base exceeding 50 telcos and enterprise clients, the company closed 2024 with revenue of HUF 73.6 bln, a significant increase from HUF 22.2 bln in 2020.
“The separation of end-user mobile services and the underlying infrastructure is a global trend. Cetin Hungary was the first in the country to adopt this model,” says CEO Judit Kübler-Andrási. “We now operate one of the most extensive telecom infrastructure networks in Hungary.”
Over the past five years, the firm has built up and now manages approximately 4,050 base stations and the optical and radio transmission backbone that connects them. The modernization drive, concluded in December 2024, included a complete upgrade of radio equipment, antennas, power supply systems, and passive infrastructure such as towers and support structures. By the end of last year, 23% of Cetin’s base stations were already operating with 5G capabilities.
Alongside physical upgrades, the company has increasingly embedded artificial intelligence into its operational model. According to Kübler-Andrási, Cetin monitors network health through around 200 key performance indicators and uses AI tools to continuously analyze and optimize network parameters.
“We use AI to identify the 100 weakest-performing cells on a weekly basis and automatically adjust their configurations,” she says. “This approach has delivered measurable improvements in quality and performance.”
Cetin’s AI solutions also support maintenance by analyzing traffic trends and quality metrics in real time. The platform compares live data with predictive models, enabling engineers to detect anomalies or service degradations within minutes.
“This level of insight allows us to respond before users even notice an issue,” Kübler-Andrási adds.
The company’s commitment to AI doesn’t stop there. More than 60% of its employees now use AI tools in their daily work, and Cetin is developing specialized AI agents to support engineers in radio planning and network operations. The goal is to integrate corporate knowledge and technical experience into an intelligent platform that enhances efficiency and decision-making across departments.
Another area where AI plays a growing role is energy optimization. The firm’s energy efficiency program uses machine learning to dynamically scale capacity in line with fluctuating traffic demand, maintaining user experience while minimizing power consumption.
The company’s expertise has made it a sought-after partner not just for telcos, but also for property developers. Cetin has pioneered the deployment of operator-neutral indoor antenna systems in buildings where traditional radio signals are obstructed. This includes high-density commercial properties, residential complexes, office buildings, hotels, factories, sports centers, and urban transit hubs.
These indoor systems are vital in modern buildings, where environmentally efficient construction materials often block mobile signals. Cetin offers its solutions as a turnkey infrastructure service to real estate developers, ensuring reliable voice and data connectivity in so-called “radio blackspots.”
In late 2024, Cetin commissioned Hungary’s first indoor antenna system capable of delivering 5G services from all three major mobile operators (Telekom, Yettel, and One) inside the Allee shopping center in Budapest.
“It’s a milestone that showcases our engineering capabilities and commitment to multi-operator solutions,” says Kübler-Andrási. “We believe this model will become standard across high-traffic indoor environments.”
The Allee project exemplifies Cetin’s broader strategy of supporting digital infrastructure not just for mobile carriers but for the entire ecosystem of data-dependent businesses. In addition to wireless infrastructure, the company provides SD-WAN, leased line, and cybersecurity services and operates mission-critical data centers throughout Hungary.
The business is not resting on its laurels, however. After completing its four-year modernization program, the company is already preparing for further investments in 2025 and beyond. Kübler-Andrási confirmed it plans “significant new development projects” to meet future traffic growth and customer demands.
While Cetin’s origins are firmly rooted in supporting Yettel’s operations, the company has diversified steadily. Today, it operates entirely independently, offering infrastructure services across the market. This positioning is key in an era when connectivity is essential not only for communication but also for productivity, logistics, and automation.
The firm’s proactive approach has also earned its main customer high-profile accolades. Thanks in part to Cetin’s 5G-ready infrastructure, Yettel was named the fastest mobile network in Hungary in the second half of 2024 by Ookla Speedtest. National measurements by the Hungarian Media and Communications Authority also confirmed that Yettel had the best 4G and 5G download and upload speeds during the same period.
“Such recognition reflects our shared commitment to excellence,” notes Kübler-Andrási. “Our goal is not only to enable fast and reliable networks but to make sure they’re sustainable, intelligent, and future-proof.”
Cetin’s recent collaborations with Hungarian universities, including Széchenyi István University in Győr, Óbuda University, and the University of Pécs, further demonstrate its long-term investment in talent and innovation. The company also supports youth STEM programs and is exploring partnerships in the construction industry, notably with BudaPart and Skanska Hungary.
This article was first published in the Budapest Business Journal print issue of May 16, 2025.
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