The launch of the fourth mobile operator will increase competition offering cheaper prices and bring new advanced technology services
TIRANA, March 15, – The fourth mobile operator in Albania, whose license was won by a consortium led by Kosovo Post-Telecom (PTK) last year, is expected to be launched next July, the Electronic and Postal Communications Authority (EPCA) has announced.
“Based on the continuous contacts we have had with the officials of the fourth mobile operator, “Mobile 4 Al,” the launch is expected in the first week of July,” said the head of the EPCA, Pirro Xhixho, at a an annual report presented at the parliamentary Production Activities Committee on Monday.
According to Xhixho, the launch of the fourth mobile operator will increase competition offering cheaper prices and bring new advanced technology services.
The mobile number portability is another novelty expected to be made possible in Albania this year, enabling mobile phone users to retain their mobile phone numbers when switching from one mobile network operator to another. The telecommunications market will also offer the 3G technology within this year.
According to the Telecommunications Authority, the mobile phone market, which accounts for 5.7 percent of GDP, continued its growth even in 2009.
The Telecommunications Authority says that the number of mobile users in Albania has doubled during the past two years after the launch of the third mobile operator, Eagle Mobile. The air time has also doubled.
The Authority says Albanian consumers saved 30 million euros from the reduction of mobile phone tariffs in 2009.
Last year, the Albanian parliament awarded Kosovo Post-Telecom a 15-year license for 7.2 million euros.
The fourth operator will compete with Albanian Mobile Communication (AMC), Vodafone Albania and Eagle Mobile. The three companies are estimated to cover around three million customers in a country with a population of 3.3 million.
