Telecoms Action Plan

• Country/entity

  Kosovo
  Serbia
  Yugoslavia (former)
  
• Region

  Europe and Eurasia
  Europe and Eurasia
  Europe and Eurasia
  
• Agreement name

  Telecoms Action Plan
• Date

  25 Aug 2015
• Agreement status

  Multiparty signed/agreed
• Interim arrangement

  Yes
• Agreement/conflict level

  Interstate/intrastate conflict(s) ( Balkan Conflicts (1991 - 1995) (1998 - 2001) )
• Stage

  Implementation/renegotiation
• Conflict nature

  Government/territory
• Peace process

  Kosovo-Serbia Normalisation Process
• Parties

  Agreement unsigned, working group members listed:
  
  Working groups: Kosovo
  Working Group on Regulator co-operation Mr Ekrem Hoxha from RAEPC (ekrem.hoxha@art-ks.org)
  Operators IMr lir Imeri (RAEPC)/ Mehdi Latifaj (PTK)
  Postal Services Group: Mr Sejdi Hoxha, Chief Executive Officer from Post of Kosovo (sejdi.hoxha@ptkonline.com)
  
  Working groups: Serbia
  Working Group on Regulator co-operation Mr Milan Jankovic from RATEL/Operators Mr Milan Aleksijevic (Telekom Srbija)
  Postal Services Group: Mr Vladimir Dimitrijović (Post of Serbia)
  
  Finalized by Serbian Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic and Kosovo Prime Minister Isa Mustafa.
• Third parties

  Agreement unsigned, meeting facilitated by European Union High Representative for Foreign Affairs & Security Policy Federica Mogherini
• Description

  Action plan agreed by parties to implement the Telecommunications (Technical Dialogue Agreement) agreed on 8 September 2013, when parties agreed that Kosovo will be allocated a 3-digit dial code, and other modalities for reforming telecommunications infrastructure.

• Agreement document

  KV_150825_Joint action plan telecoms.pdf | Download PDF

Groups

Gender

State definition

Governance

Power sharing

Human rights and equality

Rights related issues

Rights institutions

Justice sector reform

Socio-economic reconstruction

Land, property and environment

Security sector

Transitional justice

Implementation

TELECOMS ACTION PLAN

6

Tasks:

An implementation group will be formed, with EU facilitation as necessary, in order to draft a full Action plan for the implementation of the Agreement.

Once the above arrangements have entered into force, the implementation group may discuss, at the request of either side, any other issues relating to these arrangements.

The full implementation process will commence upon receipt of written acceptance of Action plan.

Responsible:

Core group

Start:

Deadline:

Comment:

Any request for a possible modification to NewCo mobile infrastructure may be raised under these discussions.

6.1

Tasks:

Nomination of contact persons / creation of 3 sub-groups

1. Regulator co-operation

2. Operators

3. Postal services

Responsible:

Core group

Start:

15/01

Deadline:

15/01

Comment:

6.2

Tasks:

Drafting action plan

Responsible:

Core group

Start:

15/01

Deadline:

29/06

Comment:

6.3

Tasks:

Written acceptance of action plan

Responsible:

Core group

Political framework

Start:

Deadline:

1/09

Comment:

1.0

Tasks:

In the context of the EU-facilitated dialogue, both sides agree that Kosovo shall be allocated a 3-digit dial code from the ITU in line with the standards and principles and timetable of the ITU, The two sides agreed that a mutually accepted modality will be found regarding this process within three months, with EU facilitation as necessary.

Responsible:

Core group

Start:

15/11

Deadline:

Comment:

1.1

Tasks:

Approach the ITU with EU facilitation as necessary

Responsible:

Core group

Start:

15/11

Deadline:

Comment:

It is agreed that Austria sends the letter to the ITU to initiate this procedure.

The text of this letter is in Annex 2 to this Action Plan

1.2

Tasks:

Allocation of 3-digit dial code

Both parties agree Kosovo will have the sole responsibility for implementing this code, after Kosovo is allocated this 3-digit code by the ITU.

ITU will communicate with RAEPC as the sole administrator of this code if necessary.

Responsible:

Core group

Start:

Deadline:

15/01/2016

Comment:

The ITU publishes its bulletins on the 1st and the 15th of the

month.

The text of the ITU bulletin is in Annex 1 to this Action Plan.

The denomination of Kosovo in the ITU’s technical annexes is in Annex 3 to this Action Plan.

1.5

Tasks:

The aim is that the migration period relating to the dial code should end by January 2015.

After this date, this dial code from the ITU will be used by all operators in Kosovo.

Operators from both parties will reduce costs to local charges for citizens.

Responsible:

Core group

Regulator co-operation

Operators

Start:

1/04/2016

Deadline:

1/07/2016

Comment:

Will also need to involve NewCo.

(see point 3 and 4 below:

only operators authorised by RAEPC will be able to operate in Kosovo).

1.6

Tasks:

Migration strategy to be drafted by RAEPC, including new numbering plan under the new dial code.

RAEPC will ensure that there is no overlap between the parties of the fixed and mobile numbering plan.

The migration strategy will emphasise that this dial code will be used by all operators in Kosovo.

Responsible:

RAEPC

Regulator co-operation

Start:

01/01/2016

Deadline:

1/04/2016

Comment:

If any operator requires an additional delay, it may present

a request to RAEPC.

NewCo will be enabled, by means of a technical solution to allow its subscribers not to use

the Serbian international dialling code when calling from Kosovo.

1.7

Tasks:

Operators from both parties will reduce costs to local charges for citizens, in accordance in EU practices.

Both sides will ensure that there will be no institutional, legal or procedural obstacles to do so.

Responsible:

Regulator co-operation

Regulators

Start:

1/10

Deadline:

01/02/2016

Comment:

2.0

Tasks:

Regulators in both sides will agree technical agreements to harmonise the use of spectrum for GSM, and television signal, including digital terrestrial broadcasting, with the aim of ensuring mutually uninterrupted provision of services based on the principles of ITU and avoiding harmful interference between services.

Each Party commits not to cover the border/boundary of the other Party intentionally.

Responsible:

Regulator co-operation

Start:

Deadline:

Comment:

2.1

Tasks:

Definition of technical data to be exchanged for point 2.2

Responsible:

Regulator co-operation

Start:

01/09

Deadline:

15/09

Comment:

After this date, data to be exchanged continuously and when needed

2.2

Tasks:

Regulators will sign technical agreements to harmonise the use of radio frequency spectrum for mobile telephony with a view to avoid intentional interference between services and not to cover the border / boundary of the other party intentionally.

Responsible:

Regulator co-operation

Agreements to be approved by core group

Start:

15/09

Deadline:

01/03/2016

Comment:

After this date, data to be exchanged continuously and when needed

2.5

Tasks:

The regulators will also encourage and facilitate the process of interconnection and roaming agreement between the mobile operators of both sides with a view to reducing costs to citizens.

They will also enter into a harmonisation process for digital frequencies.

Responsible:

Regulator co-operation

Start:

Deadline:

Comment:

2.6

Tasks:

Regulators will encourage their existing fixed operators to enter into interconnection agreements with the fixed operators of the other party.

Regulators will encourage their existing mobile operators to enter into interconnection and roaming agreements with the mobile operators of the other party.

Responsible:

Start:

1/10

Deadline:

1/02/2016

Comment:

These agreements should take account of other regional initiatives which will promote

reducing roaming fees for all of the operators authorised by regulators from both sides.

Also linked with 1.7

2.7

Tasks:

Regulators will sign technical agreement on the harmonisation of the digital and analogue broadcasting spectrum with a view to avoid intentional interference between services and not to cover the border / boundary of the other party intentionally.

Responsible:

Regulator co-operation

Agreements to be approved by the core group

Start:

1/10

Deadline:

01/03/2016

Comment:

Other responsible institutions should be involved.

Procedures mentioned above will leave enough bandwidth for multiplex for existing

broadcasting for Serbian population

3.0

Tasks:

On fixed telephony, a full license for fixed telecommunications services will be issued to a NewCo, subsidiary of a Serbian company registered in accordance with the Kosovan regulatory framework.

Responsible:

Start:

Deadline:

Comment:

The current fixed active telecommunications infrastructure should be regularly maintained until the license is granted in 3.4

3.1

Tasks:

Definition of NewCo (inventory, services, infrastructure, and network expansion, mode of function of the NewCo before and during the migration period according to point 1.5) and legal establishment

Responsible:

Operator

Draft to be approved by core group

Start:

1/09

Deadline:

01/12

Comment:

3.2

Tasks:

Registration of NewCo in Kosovo, in accordance with the Kosovan legal

framework

Responsible:

Core Group

Start:

13/5

Deadline:

31/08

Comment:

It is agreed that there will be one company, a subsidiary of the Serbian company, that will

apply for both the fixed license and the temporary authorisation for mobile operations.

Deadline to grant the company a business license in accordance with Kosovan legal and regulatory framework.

3.3

Tasks:

Application to RAEPC Regulator for authorisation for fixed telecommunications services

Responsible:

Regulator co-operation

Operators

Start:

15/11

Deadline:

Comment:

Deadline in accordance with Kosovan legal and regulatory framework.

3.4

Tasks:

Issuing authorisation

This authorisation will be delivered to the EU facilitator by 01/01/2016, to enter into force only when handed over to the operator.

The EU facilitator will hand it over to the operator when Kosovo shall be allocated a 3-digit dial code from the ITU.

Responsible:

RAEPC

Start:

Deadline:

15/01/2016

Comment:

Timetable to issue the license application according to Kosovan regulatory framework

3.5

Tasks:

Transfer of fixed assets (as defined in 3.1) and employees to the NewCo

Responsible:

Regulator cooperation

Operators

To be approved by core group

Start:

26/08

Deadline:

15/12

Comment:

The EU will facilitate the transfer of fixed assets to be used by the NewCo.

The assets currently used by the Serbian company (as defined in 3.2) will be transferred to the NewCo.

4.0

Tasks:

On mobile telephony, the Kosovo authorities will permit the new company a temporary authorisation, under Kosovo regulatory framework, for current operations, limited to the current infrastructure on the ground.

This temporary authorisation will not expire before

January 2015.

The temporary authorisation will expire once the Kosovo authorities issue a new full, unrestricted, mobile telephone license as a result of a tender / auction.

The tender will be organised in line with EU Standards.

Responsible:

Start:

Deadline:

Comment:

The current fixed active telecommunications infrastructure of NewCo should be regularly maintained until the license is granted in 4.2

4.1

Tasks:

Submission of request for temporary authorisation

Responsible:

Regulator co-operation

Operators

Start:

15/11

Deadline:

Comment:

This submission should be made at the same time as the Austrian letter is sent to the ITU – see 1.1

4.2

Tasks:

Issuing temporary authorisation.

This temporary authorisation will be delivered to the EU facilitator, by 01/01/2016 to enter into force only when handed over to the operator.

The EU facilitator will hand it over to the operator when Kosovo shall be allocated a 3-digit dial code from the ITU.

This temporary authorisation will not expire before 01/03/2017

Responsible:

RAEPC

Start:

Deadline:

15/01/2016

Comment:

This authorisation is delivered on the same day as the ITU code is allocated to Kosovo (see point 1.2).

4.3

Tasks:

Negotiation of interconnection agreement between NewCo and other authorised operators.

Responsible:

Regulator co-operation

Operators

Start:

01/10

Deadline:

01/02/2016

Comment:

4.4

Tasks:

Transfer of fixed assets for mobile telephony (as defined in 4.1) to the NewCo

Responsible:

Regulator co-operation

Operators

To be approved by the core group

Start:

26/08

Deadline:

15/12

Comment:

5.0

Tasks:

Although Postal services were not part of these discussions, both sides agree to discuss them at a later stage.

Responsible:

Postal services group

Start:

01/12

Deadline:

Comment:

Working groups:

Kosovo

Working Group on Regulator co-operation Mr Ekrem Hoxha from RAEPC (ekrem.hoxha@art-ks.org)

Operators IMr lir Imeri (RAEPC)/ Mehdi Latifaj (PTK)

Postal Services Group:

Mr Sejdi Hoxha, Chief Executive Officer from Post of Kosovo (sejdi.hoxha@ptkonline.com)

Working groups:

Serbia Working Group on Regulator co-operation Mr Milan Jankovic from RATEL /

Operators Mr Milan Aleksijevic (Telekom Srbija)

Postal Services Group:

Mr Vladimir Dimitrijović (Post of Serbia)

Annex 1:

text of ITU bulletin

With the agreement of the Administration of the Republic of Serbia, the Director of TSB has assigned the following international codes to Kosovo:

E.164 Code (as defined in Recommendation ITU-T E. 164 section 4.1): 383

E.212 Code (as defined in Recommendation ITU-T E. 212 section 3.3): 221

Q.708 signalling area network code (SANC): 7-214

The Activation dates of these codes and the transition from the currently-used codes to these assigned codes will be advised later.

Annex 2:

text of Austrian letter to the ITU

Dear Secretary-General,

In the framework of the EU-facilitated Dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia, I have the honour of requesting, on behalf of Serbia and Kosovo, that the International Telecommunications Union begins the process of allocating a 3 digit dial code to Kosovo.

As part of the aforementioned dialogue, the Prime Ministers of Kosovo and Serbia reached an agreement in September 2013 that Kosovo should be allocated a 3 digit dial code, in line with the standards and principles and timetable of the ITU.

Both sides also agreed that a mutually accepted modality would be found regarding this process, with EU facilitation as necessary.

I would like to inform you that both sides have agreed that this mutually accepted modality be that the Republic of Austria requests this code for Kosovo.

I would be grateful if you could proceed, as quickly as possible, to allocate one of the two unallocated codes (+383 or +384) for use by the Kosovo authorities.

I would also be grateful if you could confirm that the ITU bulletin has been published.

Yours sincerely,

Annex 3:

denomination of Kosovo in the ITU’s technical annexes

In the technical annexes to the ITU’s bulletins, Kosovo will be referred to as Kosovo * with the footnote “This designation is without prejudice to positions on status, and is in line with UNSCR 1244 and the ICJ Opinion on the Kosovo declaration of independence."