On Sunday 13 November, representatives from Serbia and Kosovo concluded an agreement for a three-digit dialling code to be attributed to Kosovo by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU).
This agreement enables continued implementation of the telecommunications agreement signed in 2013. According to Kosovan politician Petrit Selimi, Kosovo will use the dialling code +383 from December, and Serbia Telecom will obtain a temporary licence in the north of Kosovo. "Kosovo will be allocated a three digit dialling code by ITU, at the same time that the new company [Mts d.o.o] will become operational", the European External Action Service (EEAS) stated. This company will operate fully-licenced fixed telephone services in Kosovo and obtain a temporary authorisation for mobile telephony.
There will be a migration period of two years, during which a dual numbering approach will be used.
All draft documents linked to the licences, the transfer and registration of assets will be completed by 28 November, the EEAS stated, adding that if the parties agreed on these documents, Serbia would send a letter to the ITU on 3 December agreeing that a three-digit code can be allocated to Kosovo, it added. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)