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Next wave of roaming price cuts good news for consumers

Published on 29.04.2016

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PRESS RELEASE - 29.04.2016

As of Monday 2 May, calling, texting and surfing when abroad will become significantly cheaper thanks to the entry into force of a new EU telecom law. The European Consumer Organisation (BEUC) welcomes this price cut.

 

A maximum roaming charge of €0.05 for outgoing calls, €0.02 for text messages and €0.05 per downloaded megabyte can be applied to the domestic price when consumers are roaming.

An end to all roaming costs is in the making and should kick-in in June 2017 – provided the EU agrees to a thorough reform of business-to-business prices. BEUC is urging the European Commission to make ambitious proposals to reform the prices that telecom operators pay each other for cross-border calls and data use. This reform is key to maintain competition in the telecom sector.

Another key feature of the law – also entering into force on Monday – is that all internet traffic must be treated equally. This translation of the ‘net neutrality’ principle means internet access providers can no longer slow down, block access to or otherwise discriminate certain applications or services.

Monique Goyens, Director General of The European Consumer Organisation, commented:

“We welcome the slashing of roaming prices. Today’s consumers do not understand why crossing a border in Europe has to result in soaring phone and internet costs.

“There is much talk of digitalising the European economy. For this to happen, the costs for consumers of using the internet or making calls when abroad must come to an end. Abolishing roaming is a logical step in the EU’s plan to build a digital single market.

“Net neutrality is the way to keep the internet as it is: open to innovation with equal access for all. It is a victory for consumer choice that internet providers will not get to decide for their own commercial reasons what internet services consumers should or shouldn’t use.”

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