Kosovo Dismantling Illegal Base Stations

Kosovo's telecoms regulator, the TRA says that it has been given permission to dismantle mobile phone base stations that have been illegally installed in the province. The UNMIK Legal Office sent a letter to the regulator authorizing the dismantling of the antennas - with the exception of those operated by Mobtel-Telenor, which has permission to provide services to the Serbian minority in Kosovo.

The Head of the TRA, Anton Berisha, confirmed that they have received the letter. "It is true that from now on we are free to dismantle all antennas of illegal operators in different areas in Kosovo," he said.

Earlier this year, the head of the TRA confirmed that Serbian operator, Mobtel was increasing the power of its towers along the Kosovo border, and installing kit in several Serbian enclaves inside Kosovo.

UNMIK was set up in 1999 when the UN Security Council authorized the Secretary-General to establish in the war-ravaged province of Kosovo an interim civilian administration led by the United Nations under which its people could progressively enjoy substantial autonomy.

The Mobile World subscriber database estimates that there are around 440,000 subscribers in Kosovo connected to the official Kosovo PTT network. The actual subscriber base will be higher due to the presence of the Serbian operators in the province."

Posted to the site on 23rd October 2006