Thousands of mobile subscribers port their numbers

TIRANA, July 25 – With less than three months since the mobile number portability service was launched, some 10,000 mobile subscribers have successfully switched their operators. The Electronic and Postal Communications Authority says the new service which allows subscribers to port their numbers to any of the four companies operating in Albania has increased competition and lowered tariffs as a result.
“The mobile users have been active selecting the operator and the tariff plans from which they profit most and which are more suitable to their personal demands.”
Starting from May 2 this year, mobile phone subscribers can port their numbers to any of the four companies operating in Albania operator within three days and free of charge.
Increased competition and interventions by the Electronic and Postal Communications Authority have considerably lowered mobile tariffs during the past 3 years in Albania, but still remain above the average in the region, says the Authority.
Currently four companies, AMC, Vodafone Albania, Eagle Mobile and Plus Communication operate in the Albanian market.
According to AKEP, the number of mobile subscribers in 2010 increased by 11 percent to 4.5 million for a population of around 3.5 million, a figure which shows more than 1/3 of subscribers have at least two SIM cards.