The past year has been marked by substantial progress for the Telecommunications & Digital Economy Committee, reflecting our commitment to drive innovation and regulatory excellence
Serbia has experienced many novelties in the telecommunications sector over the past year, including the notable highlight of the introduction of the new Electronic Communications Law. This legislation has not only improved consumer protection, but also increased the predictability of the business environment for mobile network operators.
While aligning with the new rules remains an ongoing process, we are partnering with RATEL and the Ministry of Information and Telecommunications on the shaping of by-laws to ensure solutions envisaged by the EU Electronic Communications Code are implemented in a way that best suits the specificities of our market.
Looking ahead, prepaid registration that needs to be completed by 10th February 2025 represents a real challenge. It will impact over three million existing customers, as well as all new ones. Some would say that this will be among the most demanding administrative undertakings since the replacement of old passports with new biometric ones that happened many years ago. To ensure that this process is digital, efficient and reliable, we are working closely with all stakeholders, including innovative companies and regulators.
As we approach 2025, we anticipate that the 5G Spectrum Auction will be one of the key drivers of digital transformation. Our robust 4G networks, which are among the highest quality in Europe, provide a strong foundation for the advancement of technology. That’s why I’m confident that we will be able to quickly build a 5G network while supporting and showcasing the cutting-edge technology solutions in time for Expo 2027.
Ready to Support Government Efforts
We are eager to engage in discussions within the telecommunications & digital sector, and for our insights to contribute to shaping a forward-looking digital future for Serbia
In our ongoing advocacy, the Committee continues to emphasise the need to modernise outdated environmental regulations that impede the deployment of essential digital infrastructure, including mobile base stations. In this era of cloud computing and artificial intelligence, achieving the necessary leap in network capacity and responsiveness is impossible without a proper regulatory framework for building high-speed networks.
Guided by the findings of a scientific study on electromagnetic fields (EMF) that was conducted by the Faculty of Electronic Engineering, we are actively engaging with the Ministry of Environmental Protection and other stakeholders to address these challenges.
Serbia’s regulatory landscape is preparing for further transformation. The National Assembly’s recent adoption of amendments to the Law on Payment Services, which incorporates the PSD2 Directive, marks a significant development. This will finally allow Direct Carrier Billing – a topic that has been on our committee’s agenda for many years.
Furthermore, the Serbian government is preparing to introduce several key digital laws in the areas of artificial intelligence, electronic government and electronic identity (EIDAS 2).