Important Mobile EU Regulations - Coming June 2017
The End of Roaming Charges in the EU
The end of roaming charges is almost upon us thanks to new EU mobile regulations. This momentous change is due to start on 15th June 2017 due to the European Commission’s proposal for a telecoms single market. This ultimately means that everybody within Europe will be able to use their phones without the worry of it resulting in a substantial phone bill.
This news is certain to please many UK residents who plan to travel in the EU, for business or leisure, as it will not only assist in keeping bills low (or at least at the same price), but it will mean less restriction with easier access to internet.
After officials in Brussels confirmed they are on course to dropping roaming charges; making calls, sending texts and using the internet will cost the same in any country within the EU.
A Lengthy Decision, But Finally a Result worth Waiting for…
The decision has been reached after years of deliberation. For over 10 years, the European Commission has continuously worked on lowering roaming charges, and prices have continued to fall. From 2007- 2015, prices fell by a staggering 80%, they have since dropped further and now as a result of the new regulations, roaming charges are soon to be non-existent.
The caps on roaming charges (the sum phone operators charge each other when their consumers use their mobile phones overseas) was the last issue to be resolved in a long-running plan needed to end roaming fees. This decision was made after final negotiations between European Parliament, the Council of Ministers and the European Commission.
The result of this conclusion anticipates the following conditions;
? When travelling in the EU, mobile phone users will pay the same charge they would at home, and gain no additional costings.
? Every European person will gain from net neutrality rules protecting the right to access Internet content, without judgement.
British consumers argue that this change is long overdue, when in fact, the diminishing of roaming costs started years ago, and faced strong resistance from phone operators every step of the way.
What Does this Mean for UK Mobile Users Following Brexit?
Despite the new mobile EU regulation, UK mobile customers will only benefit from this change until the spring of 2019, when the UK is expected to exit the EU. From this time onwards, it will be up to the UK Government to strike a deal to prevent British customers from facing steep mobile phone bills when travelling in the EU. For the time being however, UK mobile users can escape huge telephone bills while on business or on holiday within the EU from June 2017.
Over & out............