Representatives of the EU institutions agreed yesterday evening (31 January) to end roaming charges by 15 June 2017. The charges were imposed by telecoms operators on their customers each time they crossed a border while using their mobile device on holiday or during business trips.
Since 2007, roaming prices have decreased by more than 90%.
The Commission describes last night's political agreement as a final achievement to make "roam-like-at-home" work as of 15 June 2017. It means that when travelling in the EU, consumers will be able to call, send SMS or surf on their mobile at the same price they pay at home.
No formal registration is required to benefit from the "Roam like at Home" mechanism. From 15 June 2017, it should be included by default in all customers' mobile contracts on which operators offer roaming.
According to the agreement, the maximum regulated wholesale roaming charges are set at €3.2 cents per minute of voice call and €1 cent per SMS as of 15 June 2017.
Commissioner Andrus Ansip, Vice-President for the Digital Single Market, said that “this was the last piece of the puzzle... Today we deliver on our promise.”
The European Parliament and the Council must now formally approve the agreement reached yesterday.
The Brussels Times
Copyright © 2024 The Brussels Times. All Rights Reserved.
