Roaming charges in Europe abolished from June 2017

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In Strasbourg, the European Union has made a final decision regarding the issue of roaming. It has been learned that starting from June 2017, European mobile operators will no longer be able to apply any roaming charges. The extra costs that still burden calls, SMS, and data connections when abroad using one’s own device will therefore be eliminated. Although the scope of this decision is significant, benefiting travelers in Europe, some concerns remain. From various quarters, questions are being raised as to whether the ample time within which the decision will come into effect gives telecommunication companies sufficient leeway to adjust domestic tariffs to cover potential future losses from the abolition of roaming charges. This hypothesis emerged because, in a document issued on this matter by the European Parliament, it is stated – among other things: “If operators can demonstrate that they are unable to recover their costs by affecting domestic prices, national regulatory authorities may authorize operators to impose, in exceptional cases, minimal surcharges to recover these costs”. However, room is still left for the “refinement” of the new rules, as the Commission and the various telecommunications authorities are invited to define the details of the maneuvers concerning the abolition of roaming costs.

In the meantime, during the same work session, new tariffs were established which will come into effect from April 30, 2016, lower than current ones; roaming surcharges will not exceed:

• €0.05 per minute for voice calls
• €0.02 for each text message (SMS)
• €0.05 for each MB of internet browsing.

To read the full press release issued by the European Parliament, readers are invited to visit the page “Abolition of roaming charges and network neutrality“.