Economic aid - recipient:
ODA: $366 million (top donors were Italy, EU, Germany) (2003 est.)
Currency (code):
lek (ALL)
Currency code:
ALL
Exchange rates:
leke per US dollar - 102.649 (2005), 102.78 (2004), 121.863 (2003),
140.155 (2002), 143.485 (2001)
Fiscal year:
calendar year
Communications Albania
Telephones - main lines in use:
255,000 (2003)
Telephones - mobile cellular:
1.259 million (2004)
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)
Radio broadcast stations:
AM 13, FM 46 (3 national, 62 local), shortwave 1 (2005)