EU wants to ban mobile roaming fees by 2015

Posted on Tuesday, July 09 2013 @ 17:44 CEST by Thomas De Maesschalck
The European Commission announced it's working on regulation to get rid of roaming fees for mobile phone calls, text messages and Internet by 2015:
"Roaming" fees for making mobile phone calls, sending text or downloading data while abroad must end by 2015, said the Industry Committee on Tuesday. "Unbalanced profit margins on roaming" not only create excessive costs for users but also hamper growth and prosperity . They are one reason why there is not yet a single telecoms market, MEPs say.

"This unanimous vote for a roaming-free Europe by 2015 is a strong signal that we fully support Commissioner Kroes' drive to get rid of roaming charges. We must ensure that the telecoms market works and that people are no longer afraid to use their mobile phones to make calls or download data when abroad. India and the USA have already abolished roaming fees, and it is high time for the EU to do likewise", said rapporteur Jens Rohde (ALDE, DK), rapporteur. His draft resolution was adopted unanimously by the committee members.

Roaming revenue accounts for about 10% of many EU operators' revenues and the Body of European Regulators of Electronic Communications calculates that on average, industry and private users pay double what operators pay on the wholesale market for roaming calls.

MEPs argue that the excessive cost of using a mobile phone abroad is a key reason why there still is no functioning EU single market for telecoms. Abolishing roaming fees is crucial to stimulate innovation and should be combined with other measures to create a genuine digital single market, they say.

Next steps
The Industry Committee resolution will be put to a plenary vote at Parliament's 9-12 September session and will be part of Parliament's input to the October summit. Pilar del Castillo (EPP, ES), Francesco de Angelis (S&D, IT), Amelia Andersdotter (Greens/EFA, SE) and Evžen Tosenovsky (ECR, CZ) helped to draft the text.


About the Author

Thomas De Maesschalck

Thomas has been messing with computer since early childhood and firmly believes the Internet is the best thing since sliced bread. Enjoys playing with new tech, is fascinated by science, and passionate about financial markets. When not behind a computer, he can be found with running shoes on or lifting heavy weights in the weight room.



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