Fourth mobile line operator in the plans

TIRANA, Nov. 8- The government is preparing to give a mobile telecommunications license to a fourth operator, announced Telecommunications Minister, Sokol Olldashi, during a round table entitled ” Economic and social development”. This measure, according to Olldashi, will increase competitiveness in the market, bringing about a price decrease for the consumer.
The third mobile operator in Albania has not begun operating. This operator, Eagle Mobile, predicted to be launched by March of 2008. “Calik Enerji” bought the right of the third operator, together with 76 percent of the shares in state run fixed line monopoly “Albtelekom.” Delays and complications in the privatization procedure have also held hostage the release of the third mobile operator.
Based on the contract signed between the Albanian government and the consortium “Calik Enerji & Turk Telekom”, Eagle Mobile should be launched next March, as the company began investing in the project this past October.
First, the service will be offered only in large urban centers like Tirana and Durres, and then expand gradually. The initial investment is expected to reach 30 million euro. The liberalization of the telecommunications market is also supposed to bring better services, and more Internet access, at an affordable price to the Albanian consumer.