Albania to cut mobile phone rates and to launch tender for fourth mobile licence

Albania’s Minister of Telecommunications announced on Monday that from October the country’s cell phone rates would be reduced by 20 per cent.

Albania currently has the highest mobile rates in Europe. The reduction of the calling rate charges follows a decision by the Telecommunication Regulation Agency, ERE, which will redesign interconnection rates between mobile operators. The Minister also announced the opening of an international tender for the introduction of a fourth mobile company in October. In June Eagle mobile, Albania’s third mobile operator expanded its service to 95 percent of the country’s territory. The company became operational in March 13, however its service had only been present in the Durres and Tirana area.

Experts hope that the introduction of Eagle mobile and of a fourth operator will increase competition and reduce call rates. The two other companies currently present in the market, Vodafone and AMC, have often been accused by consumer groups of unfair pricing practices. In November, the two companies were fined €3.7 million by Albania’s Competition Authority for abusing their dominant position in the market by setting unfair prices.

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