383rd Challenges

Kosovo's independence to the state passed through a transition phase that coincided with challenges, while problems are also expected with the overall implementation of the state phone code +383.

Temporary license for a Serbian mobile phone, transfer of Kosovo Telecom property to the Serbian operator, is just some of the concessions Kosovo has made to reach the state phone code.

The state code stemming from the agreement reached in the Kosovo-Serbia dialogue was met with enthusiasm, and was considered a victory by the Government of Kosovo, under which it confirms Kosovo's citizenship and sovereignty.

The government of the Republic of Serbia, which boasts that it has preserved Telekom's properties in exchange for a “territorial code”, had declared the victory.

The International Telecommunications Organisation (ITU), in accordance with the telecom agreement in December 2016, had adjourned the phone code for Kosovo.

Since that time, a period of 18 months was warned about the migration of local sym-cards into the new code from the existing +377ʹ codes used by Vala and +386 (used by IPKO) and less than that for the disappearance of the code for fixed phone +381.

+381 finally came to an end on 24 March of this year.

While the period of the existence of +377 and +386 codes is expected to end in June of this year. During this transitional period, individual agreements have had to be made with foreign phone operators so that they could open the doors for intercommunicative entry and exit codes.

Kreshnik Gashi, Director of the Regulatory Authority for Electronic and Post Communications (ARKEP), had told of KALLXO.com how many such agreements have been reached.

Until now a considerable number of international operators (over 200) have opened traffic towards the 383 code, so it is being used”, Gashi said.

With the implementation of the state phone code, numeric local call structures are expected to be adjusted.

However, one concern presented is the implementation of this code on online platforms that do not know it.

Goodbye, 038.

Citizens will say goodbye to geographical numeration, as 038 will no longer apply. The new number will be placed in co-operation with operators.

Pristina's geographical numeration has become known over the years. Even emissions dedicated to Pristina have only been appointed 038, as this number is linked to the capital. This will soon be changed.

Citizens will say goodbye to geographical numeration, as 038 will no longer apply. The new number will be placed in co-operation with operators.

Chairman of the Electronic and Post Communications Regulatory Authority (ARKEP), Kreshnik Gashi says geographical numbers will be changed.

“About geographical numeration (serium 2x and 3x, including 038), The ARKEP after implementing the 383 telephone code in consultation with operators will determine the new structure of this account”, Gashi said.

But initial mobile phone codes (044, 045 and 049) will not be changed.

The new Numeration Plan approved by ARKEP did not envision the change in the structure of non-geographic mobile numeration (s series 4x p. Number 044, 045, 049 etc.)”, Gashi said.

According to Gashi, using the new state code for international calls, entry and exits has started well with more than 200 operators beginning to recognise him.

Until now a considerable number of international operators (over 200) have opened traffic towards code 383, so it is being used. The main platforms using various texting applications or verifiating calls have already recognised the 383 code, we expect such a thing to happen with all these” platforms, Gashi said.

While the start of these international calls with the new state code has raised a public concern over international call tariffs. A Finland-based Albanian portal, Giant. com had reported that one of Finland's operators had billed 19 euros a minute with Kosovo in the new 383 code.

The related ARKEP has clarified that the tariffs are imposed under phone operators' agreements.

Our “Operators are free to directly negotiate majority prices (among operators) for international calls. In this context, prices applied by the Kosovo Republic operators for international operators have not changed, so there is no single argument that short international calls in the 383 code are more expensive”, said an ARKEP announcement.

Gashi also assured that they are trying to make sure there is no problem with implementing the new code, as according to him it has also been the duration of the transition period.

“One of the reasons for co-existing parallel codes (in this case the resulting codes and code 383), the existence of the transitional period has been the elimination of problems which could be posed with the implementation of the 383x1> code, Gashi said.

 ♪ Facebook ♪ You don't know the +383 Code, the Kosovo accounts can be at risk

Double Facebook account check may be problematic if this platform does not recognise Kosovo's state-run telephone, KALLXO.com reports

The full integration of Kosovo's state phone code, +383, is not going through without recognition challenges mainly from online platforms.

June is expected to be the last month when +377 and +386 phone codes operate in Kosovo, as the only functional international call code will be that state +383.

Director of the Regulatory Authority for Electronic Communications and Posting (ARKEP) had indicated on the final phase of implementation of the state code.

The other “Faza is the stage when the removal of code 381 will begin, as well as the use of the exit calls for the 383 mobile phone code, and, finally, in June, all foreign codes are expected to leave and function only code 383x1>, Gashi had said.

State code that ran from agreement reached in Kosovo- Serbia has managed to be useful for international calls through agreements with foreign telephone operators.

However, there are still big platforms such as 'Facebook' and 'Instagram' that don't know this code.

Ermal Sadiku, the connoisseur of this field, had analysed the risk of blocking digital wallets in krytovalta if the state code is not recognized.

He considers the same danger to Facebook accounts that require verification by phone number.

KA LLXO.com had contacted ARKEP to learn the agreement that has been reached or the lobby that has been made to recognise this code from online platforms.

According to them, there is still no response from Facebook and Instagram, which is also owned by Facebook.

We can confirm that Facebook is contacted and we expect answers from them. Instagram also uses the same platform”, says the ARKEP's answer.

On the other hand, the +383 code is available on platforms BARviber/and Whampapp.

Investments in Chrytovaluta in Danger from State Phone Code

The full integration of Kosovo's state-run telephone code, +383, presents fears to Kosovo investors who have invested in huptovalata.

June is expected to be the last month when +377 and +386 phone codes operate in Kosovo, as the only functional international call code will be that state +383.

Although the state code stemming from the agreement reached in the Kosovo-Serbia dialogue was met with enthusiasm, it is seen as problematic by Kosovars who have digital wallets (wallets) on online platforms of the masterpieces.

Ermal Sadiku, the connoisseur of this field, told KALLXO.com that many digital wallets are configured through phone numbers and, in the case of the disappearance of other codes, posed the risk of blocking them.

And those wallets that are classified by phone code, which means they have a cell phone number, they're going to have problems with cutting off +377 and +386 services. Especially those who have 2 Step SMS validation will not be able to access Walleta.”, Sadiku said.

Sadiku has called for caution from investors in the masterpiece and from institutions to solve this evental problem.

“must alert people to fix these verifications before June and a method/a deal must be regulated to accommodate SMSs in older numbers”, he said.

KA LLXO.com has also asked the Electronic and Post Communication Regulatory Authority (ARKEP) on this issue but has so far rejected answers from them.

The newspaper Life in Kosovo has analysed the process of reaching agreement on the state code.