Roaming

Western Balkan Ministers for Telecommunications signing the agreement in Belgrade to gradually remove all roaming costs in the region. Photo: Information Society Ministry of North Macedonia.

Coverage limited in northern Kosovo

Turkey's tourism revenue hit nearly $3 billion in the second quarter of this year, the country's statistical authority announced on July 30. 

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The figure was up almost 22.5% from the previous quarter, said the Turkish Statistical Institute (TÜİK).

Starting from Thursday, Serbia, Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina, North Macedonia, Albania and Kosovo are dropping all roaming charges.

This means that citizens of these countries can make phone calls and send messages across the Western Balkan region without restrictions, paying the same prices as if they are in their home country.

EU rules and regulations – including mobile phone roaming – remained in force during the transitional period

Turkey's tourism income reached $4.1 billion in January-March, the country's statistical authority announced on April 30. 
The first-quarter revenue fell 11.4% compared to the same period last year, according to the Turkish Statistical Institute (TÜİK), amid worldwide travel restrictions due to the coronavirus outbreak.

When will the change take effect?

Calls between the Western Balkan countries are expected to become cheaper in 2020. Roaming prices are expected to decrease by between 9% and 35% in January.

The agreement is part of the Western Balkans Program proposed during the Bulgarian Presidency.

Mobile operators will receive a frequency resource to start building fifth-generation mobile networks by mid-2020, the Chairman of the Communications Regulation Commission (CRC) Ivan Dimitrov said in an interview with 24 Hours.

From July 2021, charges will be completely eliminated, writes NOVA TV.

Prices for roaming services between Northern Macedonia, Serbia, Montenegro, Albania, Kosovo and Bosnia and Herzegovina will be down by 27% today, and by July 2021, they will be completely eliminated.

She emphasized that thanks to the digital single market, there are no roaming charges, writes NOVA TV. 

Roaming charges between Macedonia, Serbia, Montenegro, Albania, Kosovo and Bosnia and Herzegovina in July will be reduced by 27% and will have to be dropped completely in 2021, according to the recently signed Regional Roaming Treaty between the Western Balkan countries.