Albtelecom worried over new Rights of Way law

TIRANA, Feb. 8 – Fixed line phone operator Albtelecom, whose majority stake is owned by Turkey’s Calik group, has opposed a government backed draft law to regulate Rights of way for telecommunication providers. In a hearing with the parliamentary trade commission this week, Albtelecom representatives strongly opposed some parts of the draft law dealing with tariffs of Rights of way permits. Representatives of the biggest fixed-line operator said the draft did not foresee the calculation of all costs and ran counter to the electronic communications law.
Under the recently proposed draft, tangled webs of overhead wires, a common view in most Albanian cities, will soon be regulated under a Rights of way law approved on Monday by the parliamentary trade and environment committee. Innovation and ITC Minister Genc Pollo said the new measures would give an end to the chaotic overhead electricity and other e-communication wires.
A central regulatory body will be established at the Electronic and Postal Communications Authority to grant the licences. Local government institutions, municipalities, communes and regional councils will also grant licences on network contractions. Similar laws will also be approved to regulate electro energy, oil, gas and water investments, said Innovation Minister Pollo.