Phone operators prefer delaying implementation of +383 code

The operations of mobile operators in Kosovo, Vala and IPKO with international operators are seen as a challenge for the overall implementation of the Kosovo telephone code +383.

For these challenges, the two operators have reported officials to the Electronic Communications and Posting Authority (ARKEP).

According to ARKEP, the deadline for entry into office as a whole of the state code +383 is October 31st this year.

State code has been split to Kosovo in December 2016 by International Communications Union (ITU). This code was the product of dialogue between Pristina and Belgrade under Brussels' talks. He was meant to start applying anymore June 30th This year's but this deadline was extended for 31 October, following the demands of mobile and fixed mobile operators Vala and IPKO.

Arsim Bilal, spokesman at Kosovo Telecom, told Radio Free Europe, that despite efforts for an adequate solution, implementation of the code does not depend solely on the will and technical resources of Telekom, but, here are also relations with foreign partners.

Therefore, considering the complexity of our situation and our goals in implementing implementation, where effective infrastructure investments are involved in this project Kosovo Telecom, for now remains open to full implementation of the code, where, for whatever final outcome, even improvised, we will announce the Electronic and Post-communicational Communications Regulatory Authority”, the Kosovo Telecom's response is said.

Even mobile phone officials, IPKO, who use Slovenia's code (+386), says this company has begun implementing the +383 code in April of this year on both networks, namely and mobile.

The IPKO consumers, in cases of international exit calls, are presented only with the new state code +383”, says Edona Zogu, responsible for public relations in this company.

“Close the old code, it could happen easily on November 1st, but the only issue continues to remain with operators of different countries in the world, who have not yet opened up the rank for Kosovo's code, and as a result, their clients cannot carry out calls to the +383 code. In order for our consumers to be accessible by all, we have asked the ARKEP to extend the closing time of the old code, until these international operators open rank for Kosovo's new state code”, Zogu said.

But, Kreshnik Gashi, chairman of the Board of Electronic and Post Communications Regulatory Authority, told Radio Free Europe that the issue of international agreements is the competence of mobile operators.

“The issue of opening up the range of operators worldwide is a matter of mutual cooperation of our operators with the world operators. Therefore, they have had enough time to open those ranks so far, as this process has been meant to be completed within an 18-month term”, Gashi said.

Kosovo's “State has completed its obligation to operators at the moment of publishing the state code +383 in the ITU bulletin”, he stressed.

Gashi shows that both fixed and mobile phone operators have sent paperwork to ARKEP, where they have access to Presenting Challenges to which they are facing during this process.

But, he says after the paperwork is addressed, a decision will be made about it. Continue the deadline.

“We are at a stage of consultation with the two operatives. After we get all the information, we'll decide. We consider that October 31st has been the optimum deadline for operators to complete their obligations and implement the code in all operators”, Gashi says.

Mobile phone Vala uses the Monaco code (+377), the IPKO code for Slovenia (+386), for which Kosovo must pay high cost of spending.

Official data shows that the total cost caused by the lack of the telephone code has reached over 220m euros.