BELGRADE (Serbia), April 26 (SeeNews) – Serbian mobile operators Telenor Srbija and Vip mobile said they plan to stop providing wireless services in Kosovo as of May 1 due to the expiry of their license.
Telenor and Vip mobile will remove a total of 15 base stations in Kosovo, the mobile operators said in a joint statement on Tuesday.
The two companies will not change the contract conditions of their customers and will provide services in Kosovo under an agreement with state-owned telco MTS, which will remain the only Serbian mobile operator licensed to operate in the country, Telenor and Vip mobile said.
Telenor said it plans to donate two cell towers to the Kosovan municipalities of Leposavic and Kosovska Mitrovica.
In March, Kosovan telecoms watchdog extended the deadline for Telenor Serbia and Vip mobile to cease offering services in northern areas of Kosovo from February 28 to May 1.
The two firms, along with MTS, have been offering services in Kosovo's border areas without a license. They agreed to end the practice after Belgrade lifted in November its objection to Kosovo receiving an international dialling code. Pristina, in turn, permitted MTS to provide wireless services in the territory of Kosovo through a local subsidiary.