Albania changing law to move towards dropped roaming charges similar to EU
Now even Albania will change the law “On electronic communications”, enabling the Electronic and Postal Communications Authority to regulate the tariffs of international roaming operators.
In an interview with TV SCAN, Altin Rrapaj, director of the Economic Regulation at EPCA, says four countries of our region already have an agreement on the gradual reduction of roaming tariffs since 2015.
Albania is not part of this agreement, but it is thought that the change in the law will pave the way for participation in initiatives of this kind.
“Albania has expressed its willingness to participate. Presently, to have a legal frame to implement this regulation, we as EPCA and ministries and in consultation with the EU institutions have thought that the best would be an amendment to the law 9918 to offer EPCA the possibility to adjust fees in the retail and wholesale level of international roaming. The Ministry for Public Administration and Innovation has released a public consultation on a bill to change the law in 9918, which included the change I mentioned to enable AKEP to regulate international roaming charges if there is an international agreement.”
For the Western Balkan countries, the signing of an agreement on a gradual reduction of tariffs was the first step towards the objective of creating a common space without roaming costs in the European Union model.
Serbia, Macedonia, Montenegro and Bosnia agreed in 2015 to gradually reduce tariffs on international roaming until 2017, while the further steps will be discussed among the countries.
“Albania and the countries of the region that are not EU member countries will only benefit at the time when they will become EU member countries and there is no other option, because the EU cannot force its member states to apply this agreement with non-member countries.”
Experts believe that establishing a common space without roaming charges in the Western Balkans can be accomplished only through the willingness of all countries, while inclusion within the EU no-charges roaming space will be possible for Albania and other candidate countries only after full accession.
SCAN
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