About KTTN
The after-war-period found Kosova without terrestrial telecommunications
system. No buildings at the sites, no towers, transmitters, or other
related equipment were left. Kosova was – disconnected.
Kosova Terrestrial Telecommunications Network (KTTN) is created
and built as a part of the USAID funded Kosova Independent Media
Project (KIMP), managed and implemented by IREX/Kosova. A valuable
contribution of KFOR, UNMIK, OSCE and Government of Japan (through
UNDP), has also helped in its supplying and equipping.
Planning, construction and exploitation of the KTTN resources represents
a huge, difficult and expensive venture. Its role, its function
and its importance are also – significant. KTTN covers over
2/3 of Kosovar population, providing broadcasting services for 3
TV stations (TV21, KTV, RTK) and 4 radio stations (Radio 21, Radio
Dukagjini and both Radio Kosova channels).
KTTN’s equipment and its services are being used by other
organizations, as well. Mobile telephony services, speed data carrying
and Internet providing – are also KTTN’s possibilities.
KTTN system consists of 6 sites all around Kosova and a hub site
in the city of Prishtina. Its infrastructure allows 24-hours-a-day
operation: there are roads built up to each site, all the sites
have their own high power electrical lines and all the sites are
provided with appropriate generators and fuel tanks with considerable
capacity of over 25000 liters.
KTTN is registered at UNMIK authorities as an NGO. Its statute
determines KTTN as a not-for-profit organization, “…
founded [i] to serve the public interest of the people of Kosova,
by establishing and maintaining the equipment necessary for Kosova-wide
television and radio broadcasting and making that equipment and
related services available on a professional, non-partisan and non-discriminatory
basis to broadcasters licensed to provide such service, enabling
those broadcasters to reach an even greater number of the residents
of Kosova; and [ii] to the extent consistent with the foregoing,
to make that equipment and related services available to other users”.
Currently, KTTN employs 23 people and operates under USAID provided
budget. Its plans for the future are very ambitious and optimistic.
KTTN has already made a big step towards its financial self-sustainability:
a serious and long-term agreements are reached with many companies
and organizations, for leasing space on KTTN towers and other facilities
in all KTTN sites (radio communications, internet providing, speed
data carrying, etc.).
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