Albanian Post to offer lower internet tariffs, PM says

TIRANA, May 2 – Lower internet tariffs is the next challenge for the Albanian government in the e-communication market after mobile fees have considerably dropped. Speaking on this week’s government meeting Prime Minister Sali Berisha described current internet tariffs as unacceptable for its further widespread and warned government would intervene in the market.
He announced that the Albanian Post, a public operator, has been authorized to quickly set up the necessary infrastructure and will provide internet at tariffs several times lower than current ones offered by private operators.
Berisha also said the Albanian Post would also increase the number of free access points to 1,710 from 510 currently as part of Digital Albania programme.
Around 166,000 Albanian households, or 22 percent of the total, are reported to have broadband internet access. The Electronic and Postal Communication Authority also reports over 13,000 business subscribers.
Some 130 entrepreneurs operate in the internet market until the end of 2011.