Western Balkans closer to a roaming free region
The meeting gathers representatives of the ICT Ministries and Telecommunications Regulators from the Western Balkans economies, in the presence of the representatives from the European Union’s Directorate General for Communications Networks, Content and Technology (DG CONNECT) and Directorate General for Neighbourhood and Enlargement Negotiations (DG NEAR), discussed the latest draft on the new RRA. The Western Balkans have made significant strides in reducing roaming costs for its citizens. A Regional Roaming Agreement was implemented in July 2021, which means that people living in the region can now use their mobile phones in other Western Balkan countries without paying extra charges. This is similar to the “Roam Like at Home” system in the EU. Western Balkans roaming free
The participants discussed very actively and constructively making important advancements on the key principles and objectives set forth in the draft RRA aimed toward the introduction of the Rome Like At Home (RLAH) regime in the Western Balkan region within a defined transitional period.
The participants agreed on the need to have a meeting of Regulators from WB6 in January 2019 and discuss the technical aspects related to introducing caps, international mobile termination rates (MTRs), fair use policy for RLAH, aligned with EU policy, etc. The outcomes of this meeting will feed into the discussion of the next Western Balkan Roaming Policy meeting, planned for 25 January 2019. Western Balkans roaming free
Western Balkan countries covered by this agreement include:
- Albania
- Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Kosovo
- North Macedonia
- Montenegro
- Serbia
As of 1 July, Western Balkans is a Roaming Free zone
Western Balkan Six signed the new Regional Roaming Agreement at the second WB Digital Summit held on 4 April in Belgrade. This Agreement, facilitated by the Regional Cooperation Council and the European Union, enabled all-inclusive roaming area in the Western Balkans, reduced the roaming charges in the entire WB in the first phase and will lead to a Roaming Free Western Balkans as of 1 July 2021.
Because of this Agreement, since July 2019 all of us in the region have paid between 83% and 96% less in roaming charges in the entire Western Balkans. As heading toward the final goal and zero roaming costs, you need to have just one thing in mind to have a full battery on your phone.
Benefits of Reduced Roaming
The reduction of roaming charges has several benefits:
- Increased connectivity: People can stay connected while traveling within the region.
- Economic benefits: Lower roaming costs can stimulate tourism and business travel.
- Integration: It fosters closer ties between the countries in the region.
So stay charged and since roaming will be free of charge as of 1 July 2021, roam free.
