Faster Internet and Fewer Administrative Obstacles Are Key to the Region’s Digital Transformation

Herceg Novi, PR Press – The Western Balkans is making progress in developing 5G networks and fiber-optic infrastructure, but the region’s digital transformation will depend on how quickly administrative obstacles are removed, the use of high-speed internet is encouraged, and cooperation among countries is improved. This was assessed at the panel “Connectivity as a Driver of the Digital Transformation of the Western Balkans,” held as part of the eighth Digital Summit of the Western Balkans in Herceg Novi, organized by the Ministry of Public Administration under the auspices of the Government of Montenegro, in partnership with the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) and within Montenegro’s chairmanship of the Berlin Process. “We have created a clear and transparent long-term regulatory environment that attracts investment,” Radulović said, noting that more than €71 million was invested in Montenegro’s telecommunications sector over the past year. Regarding fiber-optic infrastructure reaching end users (FTTP), the regional average stood at 57% of households, compared with 69% in the EU. According to Jocić Tanasković, the RCC is coordinating implementation of the Action Plan for the Common Regional Market for 2025–2028, which, among other activities in telecommunications, includes promoting the development of broadband infrastructure by improving the business environment and cooperation in radio-frequency spectrum management. Recognizing the importance of this issue, the RCC, through consultations with operators and public-sector representatives, prepared recommendations aimed at improving regulatory and administrative procedures, with the goal of facilitating and accelerating the construction of broadband networks in the region.