Western Balkans online: We have free roaming

Tomorrow is a historic day for the region. We remove obstacles, borders and roaming costs. The Balkans will be free of roaming tomorrow. That's just the first step. What we in the Council for Regional Cooperation managed to do with roaming prices, we hope we will succeed with people and businessmen in the Balkans. We are working hard to open borders, abolish tariffs, increase trade and not only when it comes to roaming costs, but also when it comes to citizens so that they can travel and work without restrictions. Tomorrow we will be much closer to our common regional goals.

It's that change that makes the difference

That was my opening sentence at the Digital Summit of the Western Balkans held in Belgrade on April 4, 2019, where the six Western Balkans signed a new Regional Agreement on reducing roaming prices! Now I can say that again! Success is the change that makes the difference!

I don't even need to say how proud we at the Council for Regional Cooperation are because we were an indispensable part of this success story. You all know that feeling.

We appreciate everyone's commitment to achieving this goal. From the leaders of the six economies of the Western Balkans, the European Commission, to domestic regulatory authorities and mobile operators. There is no room for modesty here. We have come a long way in just two years. Nevertheless, today, less than 24 hours before the abolition of roaming charges in the Western Balkans, I can say, without an exaggeration, that it was not easy at all.

Today I can even tell you how nervous I was, given the predictable unpredictability of the last hurdles. Life is like jumping over hurdles, and like everyone else, I always try to find the easiest way without distractions and obstacles. As in everything else, only by finding solutions can we overcome obstacles.

The night before the summit, on April 3, we had long and tiring discussions with the domestic regulatory authorities of each of the Western Balkan economies in order to clarify in minute detail all the concerns expressed by the mobile operators regarding the Regional Agreement on the Reduction of Roaming Prices that will be signed in less than 12 hours. Both regulators and operators considered that the abolition of roaming charges in the six economies of the region is almost impossible to achieve in three years!

On the day of the summit, at 8 o'clock in the morning, we called a meeting with the ministers responsible for information and communication and digital technologies in order to convey, with the presence of the European Commission, the message that "roaming like at home" will be realized in the region, regardless of the problems .

With this cautious optimism, we entered the hall where the summit was being held, where another problem awaited us. We were still not sure about the signatures of the ministers who represented their economies in Belgrade.

Imagine those feelings back to square one. We have prepared a lot for that moment, spent the past years hours and hours in negotiations between economies, considering every step, adjusting the language to respect the political differences present in the region in many forms, just to find the best solution that benefits all citizens equally. But what if? It was like some ever-present question that bothered us.

A moment of relief, we have a Regional Agreement to reduce roaming prices

As Einstein said: in the center of difficulty lies opportunity! The regional agreement on the reduction of roaming prices was signed and we were all experiencing a key moment for this region!

That was the starting point! The story of "roaming like at home" in the Western Balkans really changes the rules of the game in a world where political words turn into actions and the reality of our citizens and their concerns.

The agreement was a gradual process, but it benefited all citizens, because the transition period itself brought a reduction in roaming costs in the entire region by up to 96%, and then their complete abolition on July 1, 2021 for citizens of the Western Balkans, wherever they travel within region.

What does the Western Balkans without roaming really mean?

We are often asked what the Western Balkans actually mean without roaming. I will say that it is more than worth the money we save thanks to this Agreement. It's about connecting! People feel better as they form deeper connections. Talking to a loved one over the phone or video call may not bring the same level of happiness as a hug, but it is human, and now it will no longer cost a fortune, but only as much as you would spend when calling from next door. Social connections are a primary need of all people.

However, money is not unimportant here. Without roaming charges in the six economies of the Western Balkans, citizens and companies will get more value for money.

I will try to illustrate it with a personal example. As you know, I am from Tirana and I work at the headquarters of the Council for Regional Cooperation in Sarajevo. I travel by car there and back, with frequent trips to other major cities in the region. Believe me, every time I crossed the border, I had to check that my mobile data was turned off. Yes, being a boss doesn't mean the luxury of mismanaging phone bills, as many people think.

Now I don't have to worry about that anymore because as soon as I cross the border and switch carriers, I'm back online with mobile data ON, and I don't pay a penny more than I would otherwise for calls, texts or answering loads of emails.

To avoid misunderstandings, it is important to note: we still pay our operators for telephone services, but this Agreement ensures that we feel at home wherever we go in the Balkans. This does not mean that you can watch a movie on Netflix as part of your internet package.

Everyone is a winner

There is no indication that there will be a drop in demand for roaming services. Borderless connectivity is encouraging for everyone. From citizens, through operators, the business community, to satisfied vacationers.

Roaming like at home is the freedom to enjoy traveling without restrictions, it allows us to make sure that everything is in order at home and to hear from our loved ones every day.

Idemo dalje

The implementation of this Agreement takes us one step closer to reducing roaming prices between the Western Balkans and the EU, because the implementation of this regional agreement was a prerequisite for reducing roaming costs with EU member states through concrete and time-limited measures. The Council for Regional Cooperation has already prepared the ground and is fully ready to start working on it with the EU.

Are we done?

Yes! No more roaming charges in the Western Balkans!

I know that the Western Balkans is usually considered a region that is still not keeping up with the technology of most developed countries, but the successful activity of abolishing roaming charges has shown us how quickly we can adapt.

Therefore, we remain focused on strengthening digital infrastructure and connectivity, creating a reliable regional space and competitive environment for innovative companies, but also working on improving digital skills.

People connect on a deeper level than machines and they are the lifeblood of our business.

It may sound repetitive, but we are in this together and we can only achieve results if we work together.

Can we do that? Of course we can! We have joint green corridors that were established last year at the beginning of the introduction of measures against the COVID-19 pandemic to ensure the supply of basic provisions - food and medicine for citizens, as well as the Regional Agreement on the reduction of roaming prices.

Both prove that it is doable.

Gathering is the beginning

Staying together is progress

And working together is success

Henry Ford