Podgorica, (MINA-BUSINESS) – According to Milan Srzentic of the Agency for Electronic Communications and Postal Services (EKIP), Montenegro could join the European roaming market by the end of this year or the beginning of next year, depending on how quickly it meets the required conditions for accession.

In an interview with the Mina-business agency, Srzentic said that joining the European roaming regime would mean lower roaming prices and would also eliminate the common practice of many citizens switching off mobile data when crossing borders to avoid unexpected costs.

Srzentic explained that the process depends on the pace at which Montenegro fulfils the required obligations, but that representatives of EKIP, the Ministry of Economic Development as the competent ministry, and other relevant institutions will do everything possible to ensure that this happens before the beginning of next year.

He believes that obligations related to aligning existing legislation, adopting new laws and obtaining positive opinions could be completed within the next few months, by mid-year, after which a period must be left for operators to implement the necessary changes.

“This does not involve only our operators, but also European ones, which must align their systems so their users can use services in Montenegro as they do in Europe. In the cases of Ukraine and Moldova, that implementation period lasted about five months,” Srzentic explained.

The completion of the process also depends on how quickly the European Commission provides its opinion, but EKIP is relying on announcements from its highest officials.

“We are counting on their well-known efficiency, especially considering the statement by the Commission’s President, Ursula von der Leyen, who announced in October that Montenegro could join during this year,” Srzentic said.