Brussels, 24/06/2014 (Agence Europe) - The new EU regulation on roaming enters into force on 1 July 2014. This will provide the European Commission with an opportunity to highlight the main thrust of these new rules and the new cuts in prices for consumers. Commissioner for the Digital Agenda Neelie Kroes explained that the goal pursued in the strategy presented by Commission on the “Connected Continent” in roaming is a complete scrapping of fees: “Why should we have roaming charges at all in a single market? By the end of the year I hope we see the complete end of roaming charges agreed. The parliament has done its part, now it is up to member states to seal the deal!” As of 1 July in the EU: 1) maximum data downloading charges applicable will be reduced from 45 cents in 2013 to 20 cents per megabyte, which effectively means a cut of more than 50%; 2) making a call will now cost 19 cents a minute instead of 24 cents (-21%); 3) receiving a call will cost 5 cents and no longer 7 cents (-28.5%); 3) sending a text will cost 6 cents instead of 8 (-25%); 4) receiving a text will still be free.
The Commission was pleased to indicate that, since the EU introduced ceilings on data roaming charges, data consumption has significantly increased. From 1 July 2014, mobile telephone operators in Europe will be able to offer their members the possibility of signing up to special roaming contracts before they go abroad and, whenever possible, allowing them to choose a local telephone operator for data services, such as electronic messaging, consulting the news on-line, downloading photos and online videos in the countries visited. Subscribers will therefore be able to compare the different offers and take advantage of more attractive services and prices during their travels abroad. (IL)