WiMax technology is increasingly seen as a reliable solution for the growth of fast internet in SE Europe as it provides satisfactory speeds of broadband connection with relatively low cost of infrastructure development. This is the key conclusion of the 3-day training Workshop organised by INA in Skopje, FYROM. According to the representatives of the countries authorisations for using radiofrequencies have already been awarded to certain countries (Croatia, Bulgaria, Montenegro, Greece, FYROM) while in countries like Bulgaria and Croatia providers have already launched services via Wimax. During 2008 countries that haven’t yet launched procedures for awarding WiMax licenses are expected to do so since there is great interest from investors.

South Eastern Europe Telecommunications and Informatics Research Institute (INA) in close cooperation with the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) dynamically continues the training programs for the countries of SE Europe, through the local nodes that provide training, advisory/technical support and promote regional collaboration between INA Academy and all the SE Europe countries on ICT issues. On 13 - 15 February 2008 a training Workshop titled ‘’WiMax - a new Broadband Wireless Access Solution’’ took place at INA Academy node in Skopje, hosted by the Agency of Electronic Communications of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. The event is part of the program of the ITU’ Centres of Excellence that actively supports INA’s activities as it is recognizing the importance of training in the growing ICT sector.

54 representatives attended the Workshop, mainly from the Electronic Communications Regulatory Authorities of 13 countries (Albania, Bosnia - Herzegovina, Bulgaria, FYROM, Latvia, Serbia, Croatia, Montenegro, Romania, Ukraine, Turkey, Poland and Greece). INA Academy is a non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) enjoying international recognition from organisations such as the United Nations, the European Union, the International Telecommunications Union and the Governments of all SE European countries and is registered in the Hellenic International Development Co-operation Department (YDAS) of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

INA Academy, following the international practices on development co-operation, as part of the Millennium Development Goals, continues in 2008 a range of actions and interventions in all SE Europe countries, seeking to accelerate the convergence of these countries with Europe, which presupposes essential development co-operation and training, specifically in the ICT sector which all the International Organisations recognise as the most decisive, in order developing countries of the region and particularly the Western Balkans to achieve the necessary pace of economic growth that will lead them to prosperity and the European secure environment leaving finally behind economic problems and digital gap.