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857 thousand Albanians used roaming in the countries of the Region last year

2025-06-11 09:40:00, Ekonomi CNA

The number of Albanians who used roaming service in neighboring Western Balkan countries reached a new record last year.

According to data from the Electronic and Postal Communications Authority (AKEP), around 857 thousand Albanians used roaming services in the Western Balkans, with an increase of 5% compared to a year earlier.

The volume of internet used in roaming has exceeded 1.2 million GB (gigabytes) of internet, with an increase of 38% compared to 2023.

The process of reducing roaming fees in the Western Balkan countries began in mid-2019, with a gradual reduction, until their complete abolition, starting from July 1, 2021.

The abolition of roaming fees aimed to facilitate communication in the work and tourism movements of citizens within the region.

The process was made possible thanks to a regional agreement signed by the countries of the region in 2019, with the mediation of the European Union Commissioner for the Digital Economy and Society.

INSTAT data showed that Albanians recorded approximately 7.9 million exits from the country's territory last year, with an increase of 14% compared to the previous year.

Meanwhile, according to a similar model, in October 2023, an agreement between 38 telephone operators from the Western Balkan countries and the European Union entered into force that will enable a significant reduction in roaming internet tariffs.

The agreement allows mobile phone users from Albania to enjoy lower prices for internet use while they are in European Union countries, and, conversely, foreign tourists to use the internet at cheaper prices in Albania.

Specifically, operators agreed to set a maximum retail price level of 18 euros/GB (gigabyte) starting from October 1, 2023; 14 euros/GB starting from 2026 and 9 euros/GB starting from 2028.

Of the two mobile operators in Albania, only One Albania has become part of the agreement. The Vodafone Group, including the Albanian company Vodafone Albania, has not become part of the agreement and has preferred to retain the right to offer preferential roaming rates, especially within the extensive network of Vodafone operators in Europe.

However, mobile phone users of both Albanian mobile companies have in parallel roaming communication packages available, at an even lower cost, for a fixed price.

The initiative to reduce the price of roaming internet began with the signing of the Roaming Declaration at the Western Balkans Digital Summit in Tirana in 2022 and is supported by the institutions of the European Union and the Western Balkans.

Its aim is to reduce the gap between roaming services and domestic prices between the EU and Western Balkan countries, with the aim of strengthening ties between the two regions, encouraging and simplifying business, cultural, tourist exchanges, etc.

So far, AKEP does not provide statistics regarding the use of roaming services by Albanians in European Union countries./ Monitor.al