Lucic: We will definitely be roaming-free by next summer

Telekom Serbia CEO Vladimir Lucic stated that by the end of this year or the beginning of next year, Serbia could become part of the European system in which mobile phones are used under the same conditions "as at home", noting that the deadline for Serbia's inclusion in that system by the end of the year is realistic and that only a few more steps remain to meet the requirements for the basic package, RTS reports.

"The rules are being implemented so that every operator is included in the system. We will definitely be roaming-free by next summer, it is only a matter of timing. In whichever country you are, you will no longer have to worry about exceeding additional gigabytes, but will be able to use your data allowance in Europe in the same way as in Serbia," Lucic emphasized.

He recalled that the system was introduced in Europe in June 2017.

"Initially, it covered all European Union countries, Liechtenstein and Norway, and on June 1 this year it was extended to Ukraine and Moldova as well. The European Commission needs to conclude bilateral agreements with each country," Lucic told RTS.

After the agreements are signed, roaming rules need to be incorporated into national legislation, something Serbia is ready for, he said.

"The rules are being implemented so that every operator is included in the system. We will definitely be roaming-free by next summer, it is only a matter of timing," Lucic stated.

He stressed that the abolition of roaming charges will apply to all users and that whatever package a user has in Serbia will be available anywhere.

"The purpose of the European Commission was to create a digital market, so this system will make things easier and reduce costs for those who use the internet professionally," Lucic explained.

Asked about Telekom's plans for the US market, Lucic said that MTL cards will be launched there in September.

"When a user of those cards comes to Serbia, Montenegro, or Bosnia and Herzegovina, and also to the European Union after the system is introduced, they will not incur roaming charges," Lucic explained.