The CIA World Factbook Every edition, 1990 to 2024 Europe
Telecommunication systems Albania, in 35 editions.
The entry for Albania published Telecommunication systems in 35 editions of 36, from 1990 to 2024. The text changed in 30 editions. Each is shown as published. Telecommunication systems in every entry.
- editions changed the text
- 30
- the first edition with it
- 1990
- the latest edition with it
- 2024
Published as “Telecommunications” (1990 to 1994), “Telephone system” (1995 to 2019) and “Telecommunication systems” (2020 to 2024).
field in that editiontext changed from the edition beforenot in that editionthe edition shownChoose an edition on the strip beside the text, or step through them with the arrows. Mark changes compares it with the edition before: the marks are ours, words added and words removed.
2024 edition
Same as 2023Published as “Telecommunications”
- stations--17 AM, 5 FM, 9 TV;
- 52,000 TV sets;
- 210,000 radios
stations--17 AM, 5 FM, 9 TV; 52,000 TV sets; 210,000 radios
Published as “Telecommunications”
- stations--17 AM, 1 FM, 9 TV;
- 246,000 TVs (1990);
- 210,000 radios
stations--17 AM, 5 1 FM, 9 TV; 52,000 TV sets; 246,000 TVs (1990); 210,000 radios
The same text in 1992 and 1993.
Published as “Telecommunications”
- inadequate service;
- 15,000 telephones;
- broadcast stations - 13 AM, 1 TV;
- 514,000 radios, 255,000 TVs (1987 est.)
stations--17 inadequate service; 15,000 telephones; broadcast stations - 13 AM, 1 FM, 9 TV; 246,000
514,000 radios, 255,000 TVs (1990); 210,000 radios (1987 est.)
Published as “Telecommunications”
- inadequate service;
- 15,000 telephones;
- broadcast stations - 13 AM, 1 TV;
- 514,000 radios, 255,000 TVs (1987 est.)
inadequate service; 15,000 telephones; broadcast stations - 13 AM, 1 TV;
TV; 514,000 radios, 255,000 TVs (1987 est.)
Published as “Telephone system”
about 55,000 telephones; about 15 telephones/1,000 persons
- local:
- primitive; about 11,000 telephones in Tirane, the capital city
- intercity:
- obsolete wire system;
- no longer provides a telephone for every village;
- in 1992, following the fall of the communist government, peasants cut the wire to about 1,000 villages and used it to build fences
- international:
- inadequate; carried through the Tirane exchange and transmitted through Italy on 240 microwave radio relay circuits and through Greece on 150 microwave radio relay circuits
Rewritten: too little of the 1994 text remains to mark the changes.
about 55,000 telephones; about 15 telephones/1,000
persons
local: primitive; about 11,000 telephones in Tirane, the capital city
intercity: obsolete wire system; no longer provides a telephone for
every village; in 1992, following the fall of the communist
government, peasants cut the wire to about 1,000 villages and used it
to build fences
international: inadequate; carried through the Tirane exchange and
transmitted through Italy on 240 microwave radio relay circuits and
through Greece on 150 microwave radio relay circuits
Published as “Telephone system”
- domestic:
- obsolete wire system;
- no longer provides a telephone for every village;
- in 1992, following the fall of the communist government, peasants cut the wire to about 1,000 villages and used it to build fences
- international:
- inadequate; international traffic carried by microwave radio relay from the Tirane exchange to Italy and Greece
about 55,000 telephones; about 15 telephones/1,000 domestic: obsolete wire system; no longer provides a telephone for
persons
local: primitive; about 11,000 telephones in Tirane, the capital city
intercity:
every village; in 1992, following the fall of the communist
government, peasants cut the wire to about 1,000 villages and used it
it to build fences
international: inadequate; international traffic carried through the Tirane exchange and bytransmitted through Italy on 240 microwave radio relay circuits from the Tirane exchange to Italy and
throughon 150 microwave radio relay circuits
Published as “Telephone system”
- domestic:
- obsolete wire system;
- no longer provides a telephone for every village;
- in 1992, following the fall of the communist government, peasants cut the wire to about 1,000 villages and used it to build fences
- international :
- inadequate; international traffic carried by microwave radio relay from the Tirane exchange to Italy and Greece
domestic: obsolete wire system; no longer provides a telephone for
every village; in 1992, following the fall of the communist
government, peasants cut the wire to about 1,000 villages and used
to build fencesinternational: international : inadequate; international traffic carried by
radio relay from the Tirane exchange to Italy and Greece
Published as “Telephone system”
- domestic:
- obsolete wire system;
- no longer provides a telephone for every village;
- in 1992, following the fall of the communist government, peasants cut the wire to about 1,000 villages and used it to build fences
- international:
- inadequate; international traffic carried by microwave radio relay from the Tirana exchange to Italy and Greece
domestic: obsolete wire system; no longer provides a telephone for
every village; in 1992, following the fall of the communist
government, peasants cut the wire to about 1,000 villages and used it
to build fencesinternational : international: inadequate; international traffic carried by microwave
radio relay from the Tirane Tirana exchange to Italy and Greece
Published as “Telephone system”
- domestic:
- obsolete wire system;
- no longer provides a telephone for every village;
- in 1992, following the fall of the communist government, peasants cut the wire to about 1,000 villages and used it to build fences
- international:
- inadequate; international traffic carried by microwave radio relay from the Tirana exchange to Italy and Greece
domestic: obsolete wire system; no longer provides a telephone for
every village; in 1992, following the fall of the communist
government, peasants cut the wire to about 1,000 villages and used it
it to build fences
international: inadequate; international traffic carried by microwave
microwave radio relay from the Tirana exchange to Italy and Greece
Published as “Telephone system”
- domestic:
- obsolete wire system;
- no longer provides a telephone for every village;
- in 1992, following the fall of the communist government, peasants cut the wire to about 1,000 villages and used it to build fences
- international:
- inadequate; international traffic carried by microwave radio relay from the Tirana exchange to Italy and Greece
domestic: obsolete wire system; no longer provides a telephone for
international: inadequate; international traffic carried by
Published as “Telephone system”
- general assessment:
- Albania has the poorest telephone service in Europe with fewer than two telephones per 100 inhabitants;
- it is doubtful that every village has telephone service domestic: obsolete wire system;
- no longer provides a telephone for every village;
- in 1992, following the fall of the communist government, peasants cut the wire to about 1,000 villages and used it to build fences international: inadequate;
- international traffic carried by microwave radio relay from the Tirana exchange to Italy and Greece
general assessment: Albania has the poorest telephone service in Europe with fewer than two telephones per 100 inhabitants; it is doubtful that every village has telephone service domestic: obsolete wire system; no longer provides a telephone for every village; in 1992, following the fall of the communist government, peasants cut the wire to about 1,000 villages and used it to build fences
The same text in 2002 and 2003.
Published as “Telephone system”
- general assessment:
- Albania has the poorest telephone service in Europe with fewer than two telephones per 100 inhabitants; it is doubtful that every village has telephone service
- domestic:
- obsolete wire system;
- no longer provides a telephone for every village;
- in 1992, following the fall of the Communist government, peasants cut the wire to about 1,000 villages and used it to build fences
- international:
- inadequate; international traffic carried by microwave radio relay from the Tirana exchange to Italy and Greece
general assessment: Albania has the poorest telephone service in Europe with fewer than two telephones per 100 inhabitants; it is doubtful that every village has telephone service
domestic: obsolete wire system; no longer provides a telephone for every village; in 1992, following the fall of the communist Communist government, peasants cut the wire to about 1,000 villages and used it to build fences
international: inadequate; international traffic carried by microwave radio relay from the Tirana exchange to Italy and Greece
Published as “Telephone system”
- general assessment:
- Despite new investment in fixed lines, the density of main lines remains the lowest in Europe with roughly 8 lines per 100 people. However, cellular telephone use is widespread and generally effective.
- domestic:
- offsetting the shortage of fixed line capacity, mobile phone service has been available since 1996;
- by 2003 two companies were providing mobile services at a greater density than some of Albania's Balkan neighbors
- international:
- country code - 355;
- inadequate fixed main lines;
- adequate cellular connections;
- international traffic carried by microwave radio relay from the Tirana exchange to Italy and Greece (2003)
Rewritten: too little of the 2003 text remains to mark the changes.
general assessment: Despite new investment in fixed lines, the density of main lines remains the lowest in Europe with roughly 8 lines per 100 people. However, cellular telephone use is widespread and generally effective.
domestic: offsetting the shortage of fixed line capacity, mobile phone service has been available since 1996; by 2003 two companies were providing mobile services at a greater density than some of Albania's Balkan neighbors
international: country code - 355; inadequate fixed main lines; adequate cellular connections; international traffic carried by microwave radio relay from the Tirana exchange to Italy and Greece (2003)
Published as “Telephone system”
- general assessment:
- despite new investment in fixed lines, the density of main lines remains the lowest in Europe with roughly 8 lines per 100 people;
- however, cellular telephone use is widespread and generally effective
- domestic:
- offsetting the shortage of fixed line capacity, mobile phone service has been available since 1996;
- by 2003 two companies were providing mobile services at a greater density than some of Albania's Balkan neighbors
- international:
- country code - 355;
- inadequate fixed main lines;
- adequate cellular connections;
- international traffic carried by microwave radio relay from the Tirana exchange to Italy and Greece (2003)
general assessment: Despite despite new investment in fixed lines, the density of main lines remains the lowest in Europe with roughly 8 lines per 100 people. However, people; however, cellular telephone use is widespread and generally effective. effective
domestic: offsetting the shortage of fixed line capacity, mobile phone service has been available since 1996; by 2003 two companies were providing mobile services at a greater density than some of Albania's Balkan neighbors
international: country code - 355; inadequate fixed main lines; adequate cellular connections; international traffic carried by microwave radio relay from the Tirana exchange to Italy and Greece (2003)
Published as “Telephone system”
- general assessment:
- despite new investment in fixed lines, the density of main lines remains the lowest in Europe with roughly seven lines per 100 people;
- however, cellular telephone use is widespread and generally effective
- domestic:
- offsetting the shortage of fixed line capacity, mobile phone service has been available since 1996;
- by 2003 two companies were providing mobile services at a greater density than some of Albania's Balkan neighbors
- international:
- country code - 355;
- inadequate fixed main lines;
- adequate cellular connections;
- international traffic carried by fiber optic cable and, when necessary, by microwave radio relay from the Tirana exchange to Italy and Greece (2003)
general assessment: despite new investment in fixed lines, the density of main lines remains the lowest in Europe with roughly 8 seven lines per 100 people; however, cellular telephone use is widespread and generally effective
domestic: offsetting the shortage of fixed line capacity, mobile phone service has been available since 1996; by 2003 two companies were providing mobile services at a greater density than some of Albania's Balkan neighbors
international: country code - 355; inadequate fixed main lines; adequate cellular connections; international traffic carried by fiber optic cable and, when necessary, by microwave radio relay from the Tirana exchange to Italy and Greece (2003)
Published as “Telephone system”
- general assessment:
- despite new investment in fixed lines, the density of main lines remains low with roughly 10 lines per 100 people;
- however, cellular telephone use is widespread and generally effective;
- combined fixed line and mobile telephone density is approximately 60 telephones per 100 persons
- domestic:
- offsetting the shortage of fixed line capacity, mobile phone service has been available since 1996;
- by 2003 two companies were providing mobile services at a greater density than some of Albania's Balkan neighbors;
- Internet broadband services initiated in 2005;
- internet cafes are popular in Tirana and have started to spread outside the capital
- international:
- country code - 355;
- submarine cable provides connectivity to Italy, Croatia, and Greece;
- the Trans-Balkan Line, a combination submarine cable and land fiber optic system, provides additional connectivity to Bulgaria, Macedonia, and Turkey;
- international traffic carried by fiber-optic cable and, when necessary, by microwave radio relay from the Tirana exchange to Italy and Greece (2007)
general assessment: despite new investment in fixed lines, the density of main lines remains the lowest in Europe low with roughly seven 10 lines per 100 people; however, cellular telephone use is widespread and generally effective effective; combined fixed line and mobile telephone density is approximately 60 telephones per 100 persons
domestic: offsetting the shortage of fixed line capacity, mobile phone service has been available since 1996; by 2003 two companies were providing mobile services at a greater density than some of Albania's Balkan neighbors neighbors; Internet broadband services initiated in 2005; internet cafes are popular in Tirana and have started to spread outside the capital
international: country code - 355; inadequate fixed main lines; adequate cellular connections; submarine cable provides connectivity to Italy, Croatia, and Greece; the Trans-Balkan Line, a combination submarine cable and land fiber optic system, provides additional connectivity to Bulgaria, Macedonia, and Turkey; international traffic carried by fiber optic fiber-optic cable and, when necessary, by microwave radio relay from the Tirana exchange to Italy and Greece (2003) (2007)
Published as “Telephone system”
- general assessment:
- despite new investment in fixed lines, the density of main lines remains low with roughly 10 lines per 100 people;
- cellular telephone use is widespread and generally effective;
- combined fixed line and mobile telephone density is approximately 75 telephones per 100 persons
- domestic:
- offsetting the shortage of fixed line capacity, mobile phone service has been available since 1996;
- by 2003, two companies were providing mobile services at a greater density than some of Albania's neighbors;
- Internet broadband services initiated in 2005;
- Internet cafes are popular in Tirana and have started to spread outside the capital
- international:
- country code - 355;
- submarine cable provides connectivity to Italy, Croatia, and Greece;
- the Trans-Balkan Line, a combination submarine cable and land fiber-optic system, provides additional connectivity to Bulgaria, Macedonia, and Turkey;
- international traffic carried by fiber-optic cable and, when necessary, by microwave radio relay from the Tirana exchange to Italy and Greece (2007)
general assessment: despite new investment in fixed lines, the density of main lines remains low with roughly 10 lines per 100 people; however, cellular telephone use is widespread and generally effective; combined fixed line and mobile telephone density is approximately 60 75 telephones per 100 persons
domestic: offsetting the shortage of fixed line capacity, mobile phone service has been available since 1996; by 2003 2003, two companies were providing mobile services at a greater density than some of Albania's Balkan neighbors; Internet broadband services initiated in 2005; internet Internet cafes are popular in Tirana and have started to spread outside the capital
international: country code - 355; submarine cable provides connectivity to Italy, Croatia, and Greece; the Trans-Balkan Line, a combination submarine cable and land fiber optic fiber-optic system, provides additional connectivity to Bulgaria, Macedonia, and Turkey; international traffic carried by fiber-optic cable and, when necessary, by microwave radio relay from the Tirana exchange to Italy and Greece (2007)
Published as “Telephone system”
- general assessment:
- despite new investment in fixed lines, the density of main lines remains low with roughly 10 lines per 100 people;
- cellular telephone use is widespread and generally effective;
- combined fixed line and mobile telephone density is approaching 100 telephones per 100 persons
- domestic:
- offsetting the shortage of fixed line capacity, mobile phone service has been available since 1996;
- by 2003, two companies were providing mobile services at a greater density than some of Albania's neighbors;
- Internet broadband services initiated in 2005;
- Internet cafes are popular in Tirana and have started to spread outside the capital
- international:
- country code - 355;
- submarine cable provides connectivity to Italy, Croatia, and Greece;
- the Trans-Balkan Line, a combination submarine cable and land fiber-optic system, provides additional connectivity to Bulgaria, Macedonia, and Turkey;
- international traffic carried by fiber-optic cable and, when necessary, by microwave radio relay from the Tirana exchange to Italy and Greece (2008)
general assessment:
despite new investment in fixed lines, the density of main lines remains low with roughly 10 lines per 100 people; cellular telephone use is widespread and generally effective; combined fixed line and mobile telephone density is approximately 75 approaching 100 telephones per 100 persons
domestic:
offsetting the shortage of fixed line capacity, mobile phone service has been available since 1996; by 2003, two companies were providing mobile services at a greater density than some of Albania's neighbors; Internet broadband services initiated in 2005; Internet cafes are popular in Tirana and have started to spread outside the capital
international:
country code - 355; submarine cable provides connectivity to Italy, Croatia, and Greece; the Trans-Balkan Line, a combination submarine cable and land fiber-optic system, provides additional connectivity to Bulgaria, Macedonia, and Turkey; international traffic carried by fiber-optic cable and, when necessary, by microwave radio relay from the Tirana exchange to Italy and Greece (2007) (2008)
Published as “Telephone system”
- general assessment:
- despite new investment in fixed lines teledensity remains low with roughly 10 fixed lines per 100 people;
- mobile-cellular telephone use is widespread and generally effective;
- combined fixed-line and mobile-cellular teledensity is now exceeds 100 per 100 persons
- domestic:
- offsetting the shortage of fixed line capacity, mobile-cellular phone service has been available since 1996;
- by 2003, two companies were providing mobile services at a greater teledensity than some of Albania's neighbors;
- Internet broadband services initiated in 2005;
- Internet cafes are popular in Tirana and have started to spread outside the capital
- international:
- country code - 355;
- submarine cable provides connectivity to Italy, Croatia, and Greece;
- the Trans-Balkan Line, a combination submarine cable and land fiber-optic system, provides additional connectivity to Bulgaria, Macedonia, and Turkey;
- international traffic carried by fiber-optic cable and, when necessary, by microwave radio relay from the Tirana exchange to Italy and Greece (2009)
general assessment:
despite new investment in fixed lines, the density of main lines teledensity remains low with roughly 10 fixed lines per 100 people; cellular mobile-cellular telephone use is widespread and generally effective; combined fixed line fixed-line and mobile telephone density mobile-cellular teledensity is approaching now exceeds 100 telephones per 100 persons
domestic:
offsetting the shortage of fixed line capacity, mobile mobile-cellular phone service has been available since 1996; by 2003, two companies were providing mobile services at a greater density teledensity than some of Albania's neighbors; Internet broadband services initiated in 2005; Internet cafes are popular in Tirana and have started to spread outside the capital
international:
country code - 355; submarine cable provides connectivity to Italy, Croatia, and Greece; the Trans-Balkan Line, a combination submarine cable and land fiber-optic system, provides additional connectivity to Bulgaria, Macedonia, and Turkey; international traffic carried by fiber-optic cable and, when necessary, by microwave radio relay from the Tirana exchange to Italy and Greece (2008) (2009)
Published as “Telephone system”
- general assessment:
- despite new investment in fixed lines teledensity remains low with roughly 10 fixed lines per 100 people;
- mobile-cellular telephone use is widespread and generally effective
- domestic:
- offsetting the shortage of fixed line capacity, mobile-cellular phone service has been available since 1996;
- by 2010 multiple companies were providing mobile services and mobile teledensity exceeded 130 per 100 persons;
- Internet broadband services initiated in 2005 but growth has been slow;
- Internet cafes are popular in Tirana and have started to spread outside the capital
- international:
- country code - 355;
- submarine cable provides connectivity to Italy, Croatia, and Greece;
- the Trans-Balkan Line, a combination submarine cable and land fiber-optic system, provides additional connectivity to Bulgaria, Macedonia, and Turkey;
- international traffic carried by fiber-optic cable and, when necessary, by microwave radio relay from the Tirana exchange to Italy and Greece (2009)
general assessment:
despite new investment in fixed lines teledensity remains low with roughly 10 fixed lines per 100 people; mobile-cellular telephone use is widespread and generally effective; combined fixed-line and mobile-cellular teledensity is now exceeds 100 per 100 persons effective
domestic:
offsetting the shortage of fixed line capacity, mobile-cellular phone service has been available since 1996; by 2003, two 2010 multiple companies were providing mobile services at a greater and mobile teledensity than some of Albania's neighbors; exceeded 130 per 100 persons; Internet broadband services initiated in 2005; 2005 but growth has been slow; Internet cafes are popular in Tirana and have started to spread outside the capital
international:
country code - 355; submarine cable provides connectivity to Italy, Croatia, and Greece; the Trans-Balkan Line, a combination submarine cable and land fiber-optic system, provides additional connectivity to Bulgaria, Macedonia, and Turkey; international traffic carried by fiber-optic cable and, when necessary, by microwave radio relay from the Tirana exchange to Italy and Greece (2009)
Published as “Telephone system”
- general assessment:
- despite new investment in fixed lines teledensity remains low with roughly 10 fixed lines per 100 people;
- mobile-cellular telephone use is widespread and generally effective
- domestic:
- offsetting the shortage of fixed line capacity, mobile-cellular phone service has been available since 1996;
- by 2011 multiple companies were providing mobile services and mobile teledensity had reached 100 per 100 persons;
- Internet broadband services initiated in 2005 but growth has been slow;
- Internet cafes are popular in Tirana and have started to spread outside the capital
- international:
- country code - 355;
- submarine cable provides connectivity to Italy, Croatia, and Greece;
- the Trans-Balkan Line, a combination submarine cable and land fiber-optic system, provides additional connectivity to Bulgaria, Macedonia, and Turkey;
- international traffic carried by fiber-optic cable and, when necessary, by microwave radio relay from the Tirana exchange to Italy and Greece (2011)
general assessment:
despite new investment in fixed lines teledensity remains low with roughly 10 fixed lines per 100 people; mobile-cellular telephone use is widespread and generally effective
domestic:
offsetting the shortage of fixed line capacity, mobile-cellular phone service has been available since 1996; by 2010 2011 multiple companies were providing mobile services and mobile teledensity exceeded 130 had reached 100 per 100 persons; Internet broadband services initiated in 2005 but growth has been slow; Internet cafes are popular in Tirana and have started to spread outside the capital
international:
country code - 355; submarine cable provides connectivity to Italy, Croatia, and Greece; the Trans-Balkan Line, a combination submarine cable and land fiber-optic system, provides additional connectivity to Bulgaria, Macedonia, and Turkey; international traffic carried by fiber-optic cable and, when necessary, by microwave radio relay from the Tirana exchange to Italy and Greece (2009) (2011)
The same text in 2013 and 2014.
Published as “Telephone system”
- general assessment:
- despite new investment in fixed lines, teledensity remains low with roughly 10 fixed lines per 100 people;
- mobile-cellular telephone use is widespread and generally effective
- domestic:
- offsetting the shortage of fixed line capacity, mobile-cellular phone service has been available since 1996;
- by 2011 multiple companies were providing mobile services and mobile teledensity had reached 100 per 100 persons;
- Internet broadband services initiated in 2005 but growth has been slow;
- Internet cafes are popular in Tirana and have started to spread outside the capital
- international:
- country code - 355;
- submarine cable provides connectivity to Italy, Croatia, and Greece;
- the Trans-Balkan Line, a combination submarine cable and land fiber-optic system, provides additional connectivity to Bulgaria, Macedonia, and Turkey;
- international traffic carried by fiber-optic cable and, when necessary, by microwave radio relay from the Tirana exchange to Italy and Greece (2011)
general assessment:
despite new investment in fixed lines lines, teledensity remains low with roughly 10 fixed lines per 100 people; mobile-cellular telephone use is widespread and generally effective
domestic:
offsetting the shortage of fixed line capacity, mobile-cellular phone service has been available since 1996; by 2011 multiple companies were providing mobile services and mobile teledensity had reached 100 per 100 persons; Internet broadband services initiated in 2005 but growth has been slow; Internet cafes are popular in Tirana and have started to spread outside the capital
international:
country code - 355; submarine cable provides connectivity to Italy, Croatia, and Greece; the Trans-Balkan Line, a combination submarine cable and land fiber-optic system, provides additional connectivity to Bulgaria, Macedonia, and Turkey; international traffic carried by fiber-optic cable and, when necessary, by microwave radio relay from the Tirana exchange to Italy and Greece (2011)
Published as “Telephone system”
- general assessment:
- despite new investment in fixed lines, teledensity remains low with roughly 10 fixed lines per 100 people;
- mobile-cellular telephone use is widespread and generally effective
- domestic:
- offsetting the shortage of fixed-line capacity, mobile-cellular phone service has been available since 1996;
- by 2011, multiple companies were providing mobile services, and mobile teledensity had reached 100 per 100 persons;
- Internet broadband services initiated in 2005, but growth has been slow;
- Internet cafes are popular in Tirana and have started to spread outside the capital
- international:
- country code - 355;
- submarine cable provides connectivity to Italy, Croatia, and Greece;
- the Trans-Balkan Line, a combination submarine cable and land fiber-optic system, provides additional connectivity to Bulgaria, Macedonia, and Turkey;
- international traffic carried by fiber-optic cable and, when necessary, by microwave radio relay from the Tirana exchange to Italy and Greece (2011)
general assessment:
domestic:fixed line fixed-line capacity, mobile-cellular phone service has been available since 1996; by 2011 2011, multiple companies were providing mobile services services, and mobile teledensity had reached 100 per 100 persons; Internet broadband services initiated in 2005 2005, but growth has been slow; Internet cafes are popular in Tirana and have started to spread outside the capital
international:
Published as “Telephone system”
- general assessment:
- despite new investment in fixed lines, teledensity remains low with roughly 10 fixed lines per 100 people;
- mobile-cellular telephone use is widespread and generally effective
- domestic:
- offsetting the shortage of fixed-line capacity, mobile-cellular phone service has been available since 1996;
- by 2011, multiple companies were providing mobile services, and mobile teledensity had reached 100 per 100 persons;
- Internet broadband services initiated in 2005, but growth has been slow;
- Internet cafes are popular in Tirana and have started to spread outside the capital
- international:
- country code - 355;
- submarine cable provides connectivity to Italy, Croatia, and Greece;
- the Trans-Balkan Line, a combination submarine cable and land fiber-optic system, provides additional connectivity to Bulgaria, Macedonia, and Turkey;
- international traffic carried by fiber-optic cable and, when necessary, by microwave radio relay from the Tirana exchange to Italy and Greece (2015)
general assessment: despite new investment in fixed lines, teledensity remains low with roughly 10 fixed lines per 100 people; mobile-cellular telephone use is widespread and generally effective
domestic: offsetting the shortage of fixed-line capacity, mobile-cellular phone service has been available since 1996; by 2011, multiple companies were providing mobile services, and mobile teledensity had reached 100 per 100 persons; Internet broadband services initiated in 2005, but growth has been slow; Internet cafes are popular in Tirana and have started to spread outside the capital
international: country code - 355; submarine cable provides connectivity to Italy, Croatia, and Greece; the Trans-Balkan Line, a combination submarine cable and land fiber-optic system, provides additional connectivity to Bulgaria, Macedonia, and Turkey; international traffic carried by fiber-optic cable and, when necessary, by microwave radio relay from the Tirana exchange to Italy and Greece (2011) (2015)
Published as “Telephone system”
- general assessment:
- fixed line, teledensity continues to decline due to heavy use of mobile-cellular telephone services;
- mobile-cellular telephone use is widespread and generally effective;
- of 3.4 million active mobile telephone users, 1.3 million use mobile broadband services (3G/4G)
- domestic:
- offsetting the shortage of fixed-line capacity, mobile-cellular phone service has been available since 1996;
- by 2015, four companies were providing mobile services and mobile teledensity had reached 110 per 100 persons;
- Internet broadband services initiated in 2005, and the penetration rate rose to over 65% by 2016;
- Internet cafes are popular in major urban areas
- international:
- country code - 355;
- submarine cable provides connectivity to Italy, Croatia, and Greece;
- the Trans-Balkan Line, a combination submarine cable and land fiber-optic system, provides additional connectivity to Bulgaria, Macedonia, and Turkey;
- international traffic carried by fiber-optic cable and, when necessary, by microwave radio relay from the Tirana exchange to Italy and Greece (2016)
general assessment: despite new investment in fixed lines, line, teledensity remains low with roughly 10 fixed lines per 100 people; continues to decline due to heavy use of mobile-cellular telephone services; mobile-cellular telephone use is widespread and generally effective effective; of 3.4 million active mobile telephone users, 1.3 million use mobile broadband services (3G/4G)
domestic: offsetting the shortage of fixed-line capacity, mobile-cellular phone service has been available since 1996; by 2011, multiple 2015, four companies were providing mobile services, services and mobile teledensity had reached 100 110 per 100 persons; Internet broadband services initiated in 2005, but growth has been slow; and the penetration rate rose to over 65% by 2016; Internet cafes are popular in Tirana and have started to spread outside the capital major urban areas
international: country code - 355; submarine cable provides connectivity to Italy, Croatia, and Greece; the Trans-Balkan Line, a combination submarine cable and land fiber-optic system, provides additional connectivity to Bulgaria, Macedonia, and Turkey; international traffic carried by fiber-optic cable and, when necessary, by microwave radio relay from the Tirana exchange to Italy and Greece (2015) (2016)
Published as “Telephone system”
- general assessment:
- consistant with the region;
- offsetting the deficit of fixed-line capacity, mobile-cellular phone service has been available since 1996;
- four companies presently providing mobile services and mobile teledensity;
- Internet broadband services initiated in 2005, and the penetration rate rose to over 65% by 2016;
- Internet cafes are popular in major urban areas;
- 1.3 million use mobile broadband services (3G/4G) (2017)
- domestic:
- fixed-line 8 per 100, teledensity continues to decline due to heavy use of mobile-cellular telephone services;
- mobile-cellular telephone use is widespread and generally effective, 115 per 100 for mobile-cellular (2017)
- international:
- country code - 355;
- submarine cable provides connectivity to Italy, Croatia, and Greece;
- the Trans-Balkan Line, a combination submarine cable and land fiber-optic system, provides additional connectivity to Bulgaria, Macedonia, and Turkey;
- international traffic carried by fiber-optic cable and, when necessary, by microwave radio relay from the Tirana exchange to Italy and Greece (2016)
general assessment: fixed line, teledensity continues to decline due to heavy use of mobile-cellular telephone services; mobile-cellular telephone use is widespread and generally effective; of 3.4 million active mobile telephone users, 1.3 million use mobile broadband services (3G/4G) consistant with the region; offsetting the
domestic:shortage deficit of fixed-line capacity, mobile-cellular phone service has been available since 1996; by 2015, four companies were presently providing mobile services and mobile teledensity had reached 110 per 100 persons; teledensity; Internet broadband services initiated in 2005, and the penetration rate rose to over 65% by 2016; Internet cafes are popular in major urban areas areas; 1.3 million use mobile broadband services (3G/4G) (2017)
domestic: fixed-line 8 per 100, teledensity continues to decline due to heavy use of mobile-cellular telephone services; mobile-cellular telephone use is widespread and generally effective, 115 per 100 for mobile-cellular (2017)
international: country code - 355; submarine cable provides connectivity to Italy, Croatia, and Greece; the Trans-Balkan Line, a combination submarine cable and land fiber-optic system, provides additional connectivity to Bulgaria, Macedonia, and Turkey; international traffic carried by fiber-optic cable and, when necessary, by microwave radio relay from the Tirana exchange to Italy and Greece (2016)
Published as “Telephone system”
- general assessment:
- consistent with the region;
- offsetting the deficit of fixed-line capacity, mobile-cellular phone service has been available since 1996;
- four companies presently providing mobile services and mobile teledensity;
- Internet broadband services initiated in 2005, and the penetration rate rose to over 65% by 2016;
- Internet cafes are popular in major urban areas;
- 1.3 million use mobile broadband services (3G/4G) (2019)
- domestic:
- fixed-line 8 per 100, teledensity continues to decline due to heavy use of mobile-cellular telephone services;
- mobile-cellular telephone use is widespread and generally effective, 115 per 100 for mobile-cellular (2019)
- international:
- country code - 355;
- submarine cables for the Adria 1 and Italy-Albania provide connectivity to Italy, Croatia, and Greece;
- a combination submarine cable and land fiber-optic system, provides additional connectivity to Bulgaria, Macedonia, and Turkey;
- international traffic carried by fiber-optic cable and, when necessary, by microwave radio relay from the Tirana exchange to Italy and Greece (2019)
general assessment: consistant consistent with the region; offsetting the deficit of fixed-line capacity, mobile-cellular phone service has been available since 1996; four companies presently providing mobile services and mobile teledensity; Internet broadband services initiated in 2005, and the penetration rate rose to over 65% by 2016; Internet cafes are popular in major urban areas; 1.3 million use mobile broadband services (3G/4G) (2017) (2019)
domestic: fixed-line 8 per 100, teledensity continues to decline due to heavy use of mobile-cellular telephone services; mobile-cellular telephone use is widespread and generally effective, 115 per 100 for mobile-cellular (2017) (2019)
international: country code - 355; submarine cable provides cables for the Adria 1 and Italy-Albania provide connectivity to Italy, Croatia, and Greece; the Trans-Balkan Line, a combination submarine cable and land fiber-optic system, provides additional connectivity to Bulgaria, Macedonia, and Turkey; international traffic carried by fiber-optic cable and, when necessary, by microwave radio relay from the Tirana exchange to Italy and Greece (2016) (2019)
- general assessment:
- mobile-cellular phone service has been available since 1996 and dominates over fixed-line capacity;
- Internet broadband services initiated in 2005 and the government continues to supports the improvement of broadband availability and access conditions;
- Albania has received financial aid to build its infrastructure and works towards the EU accession process, an adherence to careful scrutiny of its regulatory regime helps the telecom sector advance;
- Internet cafes are popular in major urban areas;
- 1.3 million use mobile broadband services (3G/4G) (2020)
- domestic:
- fixed-line 8 per 100, teledensity continues to decline due to heavy use of mobile-cellular telephone services;
- mobile-cellular telephone use is widespread and generally effective, 91 per 100 for mobile-cellular (2019)
- international:
- country code - 355;
- submarine cables for the Adria 1 and Italy-Albania provide connectivity to Italy, Croatia, and Greece;
- a combination submarine cable and land fiber-optic system, provides additional connectivity to Bulgaria, Macedonia, and Turkey;
- international traffic carried by fiber-optic cable and, when necessary, by microwave radio relay from the Tirana exchange to Italy and Greece (2019)
note: the COVID-19 outbreak is negatively impacting telecommunications production and supply chains globally; consumer spending on telecom devices and services has also slowed due to the pandemic's effect on economies worldwide; overall progress towards improvements in all facets of the telecom industry - mobile, fixed-line, broadband, submarine cable and satellite - has moderated
general assessment: consistent with the region; offsetting the deficit of fixed-line capacity, mobile-cellular phone service has been available since 1996; four companies presently providing mobile services 1996 and mobile teledensity; dominates over fixed-line capacity; Internet broadband services initiated in 2005, 2005 and the penetration rate rose government continues to over 65% by 2016; supports the improvement of broadband availability and access conditions; Albania has received financial aid to build its infrastructure and works towards the EU accession process, an adherence to careful scrutiny of its regulatory regime helps the telecom sector advance; Internet cafes are popular in major urban areas; 1.3 million use mobile broadband services (3G/4G) (2019) (2020)
domestic: fixed-line 8 per 100, teledensity continues to decline due to heavy use of mobile-cellular telephone services; mobile-cellular telephone use is widespread and generally effective, 115 91 per 100 for mobile-cellular (2019)
international: country code - 355; submarine cables for the Adria 1 and Italy-Albania provide connectivity to Italy, Croatia, and Greece; a combination submarine cable and land fiber-optic system, provides additional connectivity to Bulgaria, Macedonia, and Turkey; international traffic carried by fiber-optic cable and, when necessary, by microwave radio relay from the Tirana exchange to Italy and Greece (2019)
note: the COVID-19 outbreak is negatively impacting telecommunications production and supply chains globally; consumer spending on telecom devices and services has also slowed due to the pandemic's effect on economies worldwide; overall progress towards improvements in all facets of the telecom industry - mobile, fixed-line, broadband, submarine cable and satellite - has moderated
- general assessment:
- Albania’s small telecom market has improved through signatory status of EU accession plan;
- EU financial aid will build infrastructure and enhance cooperation;
- operator committed €100 million to upgrade fixed-line infrastructure, supporting broadband services nationally;
- consistent with the region, fixed-line telephony use and penetration is declining as subscribers prefer mobile solutions;
- mobile sector is supported through LTE networks;
- operators have invested in 5G, including the intention to create a corridor with Kosovo;
- importer of broadcasting equipment from EU neighbors (2021)
- domestic:
- fixed-line 8 per 100, teledensity continues to decline due to heavy use of mobile-cellular telephone services;
- mobile-cellular telephone use is widespread and generally effective, 91 per 100 for mobile-cellular (2020)
- international:
- country code - 355;
- submarine cables for the Adria 1 and Italy-Albania provide connectivity to Italy, Croatia, and Greece;
- a combination submarine cable and land fiber-optic system, provides additional connectivity to Bulgaria, Macedonia, and Turkey;
- international traffic carried by fiber-optic cable and, when necessary, by microwave radio relay from the Tirana exchange to Italy and Greece (2019)
note: the COVID-19 pandemic continues to have a significant impact on production and supply chains globally; since 2020, some aspects of the telecom sector have experienced downturn, particularly in mobile device production; many network operators delayed upgrades to infrastructure; progress towards 5G implementation was postponed or slowed in some countries; consumer spending on telecom services and devices was affected by large-scale job losses and the consequent restriction on disposable incomes; the crucial nature of telecom services as a tool for work and school from home became evident, and received some support from governments
general assessment: mobile-cellular phone service Albania’s small telecom market has been available since 1996 and dominates over fixed-line capacity; Internet broadband services initiated in 2005 and the government continues to supports the improvement improved through signatory status of broadband availability and access conditions; Albania has received EU accession plan; EU financial aid to will build its infrastructure and works towards the EU accession process, an adherence enhance cooperation; operator committed €100 million to careful scrutiny of its regulatory regime helps upgrade fixed-line infrastructure, supporting broadband services nationally; consistent with the telecom sector advance; Internet cafes are popular in major urban areas; 1.3 million region, fixed-line telephony use and penetration is declining as subscribers prefer mobile broadband services (3G/4G) (2020) solutions; mobile sector is supported through LTE networks; operators have invested in 5G, including the intention to create a corridor with Kosovo; importer of broadcasting equipment from EU neighbors (2021)
domestic: fixed-line 8 per 100, teledensity continues to decline due to heavy use of mobile-cellular telephone services; mobile-cellular telephone use is widespread and generally effective, 91 per 100 for mobile-cellular (2019) (2020)
international: country code - 355; submarine cables for the Adria 1 and Italy-Albania provide connectivity to Italy, Croatia, and Greece; a combination submarine cable and land fiber-optic system, provides additional connectivity to Bulgaria, Macedonia, and Turkey; international traffic carried by fiber-optic cable and, when necessary, by microwave radio relay from the Tirana exchange to Italy and Greece (2019)
note: the COVID-19 outbreak is negatively impacting telecommunications pandemic continues to have a significant impact on production and supply chains globally; since 2020, some aspects of the telecom sector have experienced downturn, particularly in mobile device production; many network operators delayed upgrades to infrastructure; progress towards 5G implementation was postponed or slowed in some countries; consumer spending on telecom services and devices was affected by large-scale job losses and services has also slowed due to the pandemic's effect consequent restriction on economies worldwide; overall progress towards improvements in all facets of disposable incomes; the crucial nature of telecom industry - mobile, fixed-line, broadband, submarine cable services as a tool for work and satellite - has moderated school from home became evident, and received some support from governments
- general assessment:
- Albania’s small telecom market has experienced some significant changes in recent years;
- upgrades were made to the fixed-line infrastructure to support broadband services;
- fixed-line telephony use and penetration in Albania is declining steadily as subscribers migrate to mobile solutions;
- the mobile sector is well provided with LTE networks, while operators have invested in 5G;
- some of these efforts have been made in conjunction with neighboring Kosovo, with the intention of a seamless 5G corridor along the highway connecting the two countries;
- the country has long sought accession to the European Union (EU) which has benefited its telecoms sector through closer scrutiny of its regulatory regime and through the injection of funding to help modernize infrastructure (2021)
- domestic:
- fixed-line approximately 8 per 100, teledensity continues to decline due to heavy use of mobile-cellular telephone services;
- mobile-cellular telephone use is widespread and generally effective, 91 per 100 for mobile-cellular (2020)
- international:
- country code - 355;
- submarine cables for the Adria 1 and Italy-Albania provide connectivity to Italy, Croatia, and Greece;
- a combination submarine cable and land fiber-optic system, provides additional connectivity to Bulgaria, Macedonia, and Turkey;
- international traffic carried by fiber-optic cable and, when necessary, by microwave radio relay from the Tirana exchange to Italy and Greece (2019)
note: the COVID-19 pandemic continues to have a significant impact on production and supply chains globally; since 2020, some aspects of the telecom sector have experienced a downturn, particularly in mobile device production; progress toward 5G implementation has resumed, as well as upgrades to infrastructure; consumer spending on telecom services has increased due to the surge in demand for capacity and bandwidth; the crucial nature of telecom services as a tool for work and school from home is still evident, and the spike in this area has seen growth opportunities for development of new tools and increased services
general assessment: Albania’s small telecom market has improved through signatory status of EU accession plan; EU financial aid will build infrastructure and enhance cooperation; operator committed €100 million experienced some significant changes in recent years; upgrades were made to upgrade the fixed-line infrastructure, supporting infrastructure to support broadband services nationally; consistent with the region, services; fixed-line telephony use and penetration in Albania is declining steadily as subscribers prefer migrate to mobile solutions; the mobile sector is supported through well provided with LTE networks; networks, while operators have invested in 5G, including 5G; some of these efforts have been made in conjunction with neighboring Kosovo, with the intention to create of a seamless 5G corridor with Kosovo; importer along the highway connecting the two countries; the country has long sought accession to the European Union (EU) which has benefited its telecoms sector through closer scrutiny of broadcasting equipment from EU neighbors its regulatory regime and through the injection of funding to help modernize infrastructure (2021)
domestic: fixed-line approximately 8 per 100, teledensity continues to decline due to heavy use of mobile-cellular telephone services; mobile-cellular telephone use is widespread and generally effective, 91 per 100 for mobile-cellular (2020)
international: country code - 355; submarine cables for the Adria 1 and Italy-Albania provide connectivity to Italy, Croatia, and Greece; a combination submarine cable and land fiber-optic system, provides additional connectivity to Bulgaria, Macedonia, and Turkey; international traffic carried by fiber-optic cable and, when necessary, by microwave radio relay from the Tirana exchange to Italy and Greece (2019)
note: the COVID-19 pandemic continues to have a significant impact on production and supply chains globally; since 2020, some aspects of the telecom sector have experienced a downturn, particularly in mobile device production; many network operators delayed upgrades to infrastructure; progress towards toward 5G implementation was postponed or slowed in some countries; has resumed, as well as upgrades to infrastructure; consumer spending on telecom services and devices was affected by large-scale job losses and has increased due to the consequent restriction on disposable incomes; surge in demand for capacity and bandwidth; the crucial nature of telecom services as a tool for work and school from home became is still evident, and received some support from governments the spike in this area has seen growth opportunities for development of new tools and increased services
The same text in 2023 and 2024.
- general assessment:
- Albania’s small telecom market has experienced some significant changes in recent years;
- upgrades were made to the fixed-line infrastructure to support broadband services;
- fixed-line telephony use and penetration in Albania is declining steadily as subscribers migrate to mobile solutions;
- the mobile sector is well provided with LTE networks, while operators have invested in 5G;
- some of these efforts have been made in conjunction with neighboring Kosovo, with the intention of a seamless 5G corridor along the highway connecting the two countries;
- the country has long sought accession to the European Union (EU) which has benefited its telecoms sector through closer scrutiny of its regulatory regime and through the injection of funding to help modernize infrastructure (2021)
- domestic:
- fixed-line approximately 7 per 100, teledensity continues to decline due to heavy use of mobile-cellular telephone services;
- mobile-cellular telephone use is widespread and generally effective, 92 per 100 for mobile-cellular (2021)
- international:
- country code - 355;
- submarine cables for the Adria 1 and Italy-Albania provide connectivity to Italy, Croatia, and Greece;
- a combination submarine cable and land fiber-optic system, provides additional connectivity to Bulgaria, Macedonia, and Turkey;
- international traffic carried by fiber-optic cable and, when necessary, by microwave radio relay from the Tirana exchange to Italy and Greece (2019)
general assessment: Albania’s small telecom market has experienced some significant changes in recent years; upgrades were made to the fixed-line infrastructure to support broadband services; fixed-line telephony use and penetration in Albania is declining steadily as subscribers migrate to mobile solutions; the mobile sector is well provided with LTE networks, while operators have invested in 5G; some of these efforts have been made in conjunction with neighboring Kosovo, with the intention of a seamless 5G corridor along the highway connecting the two countries; the country has long sought accession to the European Union (EU) which has benefited its telecoms sector through closer scrutiny of its regulatory regime and through the injection of funding to help modernize infrastructure (2021)
domestic: fixed-line approximately 8 7 per 100, teledensity continues to decline due to heavy use of mobile-cellular telephone services; mobile-cellular telephone use is widespread and generally effective, 91 92 per 100 for mobile-cellular (2020) (2021)
international: country code - 355; submarine cables for the Adria 1 and Italy-Albania provide connectivity to Italy, Croatia, and Greece; a combination submarine cable and land fiber-optic system, provides additional connectivity to Bulgaria, Macedonia, and Turkey; international traffic carried by fiber-optic cable and, when necessary, by microwave radio relay from the Tirana exchange to Italy and Greece (2019)
note: the COVID-19 pandemic continues to have a significant impact on production and supply chains globally; since 2020, some aspects of the telecom sector have experienced a downturn, particularly in mobile device production; progress toward 5G implementation has resumed, as well as upgrades to infrastructure; consumer spending on telecom services has increased due to the surge in demand for capacity and bandwidth; the crucial nature of telecom services as a tool for work and school from home is still evident, and the spike in this area has seen growth opportunities for development of new tools and increased services
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Cite this page
Central Intelligence Agency. “Albania: Telecommunication systems.” The World Factbook, 1990–2024 editions. Archived by The Factbook, thefactbook.org/albania/telecommunication-systems.